the Doorpost One page says it all Courses, training, festivals, events

I Behind the news page 4

U Letters page 9

U Prayer diary page 13

IN Arts page 19

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PAGE 2 ANALYSIS PAGE 7 - FEATURES PAGE 8 COMMEN1

Breaking down the walls

Christmas quietly

From earth to heaven Letters to a struggling Church

Don't despair - God is in the desert!

Vinay Samuel writes about the Incarnation

Who signed the death warrant for a generation?

Herod's guru puts his case. Mary's cousin, the shepherds' boss and Joseph's friend tell their stores. Four very different t,iews of a momentous birth. PAGES 10 and 11

0

WE BRING GOOD NEWS

DIOCESE OF OXFORD REPORTER IN BERKSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AND OXFORDSHIRE DECEMBER 2000 No 118

ONE of the insights of our time is that God has given the world a real indepen-dence. Indeed, this is what it means to be created, to have a life of our own. This applies to nature. As has been said, God doesn't just make the world he does something much more wonderful, he makes the world make itself. Above all it applies to us, in whom this indepen-dence becomes conscious.

The trouble with this insight is that it can lead to the idea that God has simply thrown everything in the arena to slug it out, whilst he himself stands back. Certainly during the last century and even now in our own time, the terrible evils which we human beings have per-petrated can make us feel that God has simply wound the universe up and then gone away. But as Christians we pro-claim another insight of even greater importance.

In the book of Isaiah there is a myste-rious sentence 'Therefore the Lord him-self shall give you a sign: the young woman is with child, and she will bear a

son, and will call him Immanuel' (Isaiah 7, 15). This verse is quoted by St Matthew as an angel foretells the birth of Jesus 'And he shall be called Emmanuel', a name which means 'God is with us' (Matthew 1, 23). This theme of God being with us is very important to the writer of that gospel. It ends with the risen Christ saying to his disciples 'And be assured, I am with you always, to the end of time' (Matthew 28, 20). Furthermore the God who is with us is the God who has made himself accessi-ble in human terms, in the heart and mind of Jesus. H is with us as one who understands us and stands alongside us in all our doubts and difficulties.. Indeed, he is not only with us but he is for us. And as St Paul said, if God is for us then everything that seems to be against us, death for example, is seen in a totally new light (Romans 8, 31-39).

In Jesus God is with us and for us. May that truth give us all a truly blessed Christmas.

The Oxford Diocesan Communications Department have commissioned this internet card from The DOOR's designer, David Salmon. To send it follow the instructions on the the Diocesan website ww.oxford.anglicarVcards There are also two cards for children by Simon Smith, our former cartoonist. One is in full colour or there is line art version to print out and colour yourself. The cards are free but you could always send a donation to your favourite charity. TO HELP THE CHILDREN OF BETHLEHEM SEE PAGE 5

'Be assured I am with you always' God has not simply wound up the universe and gone away says the Bishop of Oxford, Richard Harries in his Christmas message

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Solidarity with the homeless Members of the Shelswell Benefice youth group from north Oxfordshire are pictured trying out their cardboard shelters in Fringford village hall before sleeping out for part of a pouring wet night to raise money for the Oxford Night Shelter. Left to

right: Eleanor Long, Emma Andrews, Natalie Harwood, Emma Ramsey. Eight members of the Hakuna Matata group, ranging in age from 12 to 18, took part in the mini-sleep out and said prayers by candlelight for the homeless. In the Oxford Sleepout, 70 people spent another wet night on 18 November in St Clement's Churchyard to raise money for the homeless.

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orief Opinion in Bishop's Chaplain moves up

FIFTEEN people from around the Oxford Diocese recently met for a three-day consultation at Offa House, Offchurch. The group consisted of ordained and unordaned from different traditions and theological under-standing, those in a recognis-able form of full-time ministry, and these seeking to develop a full-time Christian discipleship and ministry, particularly in the work place.

The group was concerned to listen for Gods Spirit, and through prayer, an openness to his word and to each other through the building of commu-nity, to discover something of God's heart for his church in the Third Millennium. By the end of the second day there was a unity (or community) which was tangible. Tears were shed as people sought to express and birth the new thing that God is ceiling us into, even though as yet there is no clear understanding of it. As part of the process it was suggested that people, workdg in groups,

tite letters to the Church. The following are simply offered for your prayerful consiieratbn. Chris Neal

I I know your hunger I love you and I will hold your hand as you struggle. I have opened a door and nothing can shut it. Don't be afraid. Spend time with people. Share deeply

with one another in prayer. Discover the talents you have. Teach well. Serve humbly.

2 To the angel of the church, inherited and emerging write: Here are the words of the True Resurrection, the One who brings life out of death; I know your deeds - I poured out molten gold on you, but you have chosen to contain it with-in high walls. With all my rich-es, yet you have a spirit of poverty and are more con-cerned with living than with life. And yet, 0 remnant, I say I love you even though you are dying. I am breaking down the walls and am pouring out my gold in new ways. If you learn to live as a church without walls, rediscovering your first love, dependent on me, trans-parent and vulnerable, I will be with you - don't be afraid.

3 Greetings in the Lord, Grace to you and peace. We cel-ebrate the sense of God work-ing with us in the past, present and future. God has been active and we pray for his guidance as we move forward to a new mil-lennium. May we learn again the way of the Cross, of love, openness, vulnerability and risk. We would appeal especial-ly to those who are in leader-ship amongst us, that we learn afresh the way of servant lead-ership modelled by Jesus.

'Reclaim Christmas for the Christian Church!' is the theme of this year's Churches' Advertising Network campaign aimed at non-church goers.

May we be recognised as peo-ple who listen, affirm, care, and provide prophetic, vision-ary leadership. May we listen to what God is saying about new ways of being church. In doing this, may we reveal a sense of being open to the Spirit and his guidance in the areas that may be new and challenging. In Christian love and obedience.

4 Dear Friends in God. We came to engage with God's word, to worship, pray and lis-ten to where God might be lead-ing his Church in this period of transition and uncertainty. God through his Holy Spirit is

calling us into a time of renew-al as his world goes through an

electronic and cultural revolu-tion. In our time together we learnt anew the significance of the cross; that Jesus died and rose agiin so that we might meet the risen Christ. . . As the Church, we carry the cross knowing that Jesus is with us on the journey through change.

In the context of our rapidly changing world the Church, in following Jesus who was both a servant and a leader, is called to provide prophetic and visionary leadership. Such leadership will provide a new sense of hope and an experi-ence of God working in the world, through the risen Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Listening and discerning God's will and direction through prayerful contempla-tion and immersion in the Holy Scriptures has to be the basis for us all as God's ser-vants in his world.

As the Church emerges into this new millennium let us be renewed by God to be the light of the world, through prayer and living the Biblical values of prophetic truth, love, service and leadership.

• Saturday, 24 March 2001 'Building The Church in the Work Place' lOam to 4pm, St Mary's, Thame. Speakers: or Bill Bolton and the Revd Ken Barnes; cost £10. To book contact Evangelism Office, Thame Barns Centre, Church Road, Thame, Oxon. OX9 3AJ or speak to Katrina: 01844 216097. Email katrina€' stmarys.psa-online.com

The Bishop of Oxford is los-ing his popular chaplain, the Revd Dr Edmund Newell to St Paul' s Cathedral. At the age of 39 he has been appointed to a Residentiary Canonry of St Paul's in suc-cession to Canon Michael Saward.

Ed, who is married to Susan, has a background in economic history and was a research

Richard Lethbridge, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, has known and loved the churches in Oxfordshire for most of his life. He is the author of the New Shell Guide to Oxfordshire and Berkshire (1988), and Honorary Secretary of the Oxfordshire Historic Chu&hes Trust (OHCT).

For Love of Money is a new Lent course from Christian Aid. It includes activities that are both fun and searching, as well as material for Bible study, prayer and reflection. The five week course explores how we handle money in the light of the Gospel. For details or a sample copy, costing £3, contact Christian Aid, Peter's Way, Sandy Lane west, Oxford, OX4 5H L. 01865 717070.

To celebrate the third Millennium, Gerry Hanson is aiming to read out loud contin-uously the 27 book of the New Testament starting at noon on S January and finish-ing on Epiphany 24 hours later. The sponsorship money will be divided between St Margaret's, Ivor Heath for their parish cen-tre appeal and Helen House, Oxford. The Bishop of Oxford

fellow of Nuffield College, Oxford before his ordination. He was assistant curate of Deddington with Barford, Clifton and Hempton from 1994 to 1998. He is also a part-time chaplain at Headington School.

The Diocese of London will also gain in another way. Ed is a keen member of the Oxford Diocesan cricket team.

His new book Oxfordshire Churches introduces the reader to 95 churches, with over 100 photographs by David Gillies-Reyburn. All proceeds from the sale of the book, which costs £12.50, will go towards the work of OHCT. To order a copy con-tact The Stonesfield Press on 01993 891614.

Faith in the Fire is also new for Lent 2001 from York Courses. This five-part study course features on audio tape: the Archbishop of York, Rabbi Lionel Blue, Steve Chalke, Dr Leslie Griffith and Ann Widdecombe MR Each tape costs £8.50 and the booklet costs £2.75. For more details contact York Courses, St Barnabas Vicarage, P0 Box 343, York, Y019 5YB. Telephone 01904 481677.

said: 'Reading the New Testament is always worth-while and reading it continu-ously will ensure that the whole is grasped in a way that is unusual.' The Archbishop of Canterbury has also sent a message of support. If success-ful Gerry hopes his Bible-thon will make the Guiness Book of Records. To sponsor Gerry Hanson ring him on 01753 653762

Letters to a strugdInc Church Two thousand years ago Paul wrote his letters to the early Christian churches. Now Chris Neal, Diocesan Director of Evangelisation invites you to prayerfully consider extracts from four letters to encourage the Church of today

High Sheriff's view of Churches

Love, money, faith and fire

New Testament Bible-thon

Sight impaired people can now get a free audio version of The DOOR by contacting Graham Winterbourne on 01884 840285.

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Marathon talks to try to save joint school A TWELVE hour meeting of Oxfordshire's School Organisation Committee was held on 6 November. The marathon was to discuss and vote upon the proposals to extend St Augustine's as a joint school for pupils aged 11-18 years, and also the pro-posals from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham to either extend the existing Cardinal Newman Middle School or to have a sep-arate and new Catholic sec-ondary school.

The local politicians group on the Committee voted to keep and extend the joint school. The Schools Group did not vote in favour of any of the proposals but wanted it minuted that the proposal they were most minded to support was the one to keep and extend the joint school. There was no support for the Archdmse's proposals apart from the Archdiocfc itself.

All papers must now be sent to an adjudicator and it could be some considerable time

before an adjudication is given.

Danny Sullivan, Oxford Diocesan Director of Education said he was most grateful for the support he had received for the joint school across the Diocese and indeed also from local Catholics and Catholics involved in education across the country. The Rev Dr John Gay spoke

at the end of the debate and outlined once more the Oxford Diocesan Board of

Educations wish to continue with the joint school in a spir-it of openness and partnership 'with our fellow Christians from the Archdiocese of Birmingham'. On behalf of ODBE he welcomed the Pope's statement to the Queen during their recent meeting that 'there could be no turning back from the ecu-menical goal.' Dr Gay also reiterated the Board's com-mitment to work with all partners once the result of adjudication is known.

Picture: N

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Altar dedicated to brave Bell MU for Swan Group

In October the joint service for the Swan Group of parishes marked a new development in the life of the seven villages in North Bucks. The Diocesan President of the Mothers' Union, Mrs Barbara Teague joined Team Rector, the Revd David Hiscock in launching the Swan Group Branch of the Mothers Union at St Leonard's Church, Grendon Underwood. 'We are looking forward to worshipping and learning together as well as supporting Christian family life locally and further afield' the -Revd Elizabeth Mason', leader of the new branch, said.

EVERY three years the college chaplains in Oxford organise a mission to the University. The aim is to present the case for Christianity in a fresh and compelling way. The mission dates back to the early twen-tieth century and most famously has been led by Archbishop William Temple in the 1930's and Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 1995. The next mission will be held in the University Church of St Mary the Virgin from 21 - 25 January 2001. The principle speaker,

Rector puts a stop to psychic fair When Roger Humphreys, Rector of Woodstock heard that the town's Bear Hotel was hosting the 'Quest Healing and Psychic Fair' he told the hotel management that he did not think the fair was a very good idea. As a result they decided to cancel the event to the dismay of Quest's organiser, Alison Bennett who said 'We've never come up against this opposition before.' 'I believe that healing can only be offered in Jesus' name, through prayer' said Roger Humphreys. He said that he would do the same again should it be necessary.

the Reverend Professor Peter Gomes, is one of America's best known preachers, described in Talk magazine as one of 'Fifty Big Mouths We Hope Will never Shut Up.' He is Minister of the Memorial Church, Harvard University, and a Baptist with a soft spot for Church of England worship. The organising committee wants to present Christianity in an open and thoughtful way and not ram it down anyone's throat. To encourage this, after each of the first three talks, three expe-

The above Christmas card is one of two internet cards for children by The DOOR's for-mer cartoonist Simon Smith. The cards are available for all on the website (see front page)

rienced public speakers have agreed to question Peter Gomes both about what he has said and to raise other questions about Christianity in contemporary society. The three celebrity interview-ers are Peter Preston, former editor of The Guardian on 22 January, Kate Adie, Chief News Correspondent of the BBC on 23 January, actress Diana Rigg, and Cameron Mackintosh, Visiting Professor 1999 on 24 January. The Mission 2001 website is: http://www.mission2001.org

Putting ethics into tourism How do we get the holiday we want while making sure that local people do not suf-fer as a result? This question was at the heart of the con-ference on Ethical Tourism and Christian Responsibility organised recently in London by Tearfund. It was acknowledged that the issues are complex, but that trav-ellers should put pressure on tour operators to ensure that their holidays are causing the minimum damage to the environment and the maxi-mum help to the locality, especially in developing countries. In a Tearfund sur-vey, 59% of those ques-tioned were willing to pay up to 5% extra for their hol-iday if the money were used to benefit the host region. Tearfund are encouraging discussions through their booklet 'Don't forget your ethics', which includes ten suggestions for 'ethical' trav-ellers, and a video for use in groups, available from them at 100 Church Road, Twickenham TW11 8QE.

Clare Wenham

An altar carved from a single block of 17th century English oak, a gift from her Majesty the Queen, has been dedicated in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford to the memory of Bishop George Bell. The Bishop sup-ported German Christians in their opposition to the Nazis and courageously opposed the saturation bombing of German cities by the Allies.

The Dean and Chapter and Friends of the Cathedral decided to mark the Millennium by ded-icating the altar to George Bell, a tutor and student (fellow) at Christ Church who went on to be Bishop of Chichester. Bell was an active supporter of liter-ature and the arts and of the

ecumenical movement through which he came to have close ties with the anti-Nazi Confessional Church and their martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The altar was dedicated at Evensong on 12 November. It was made by the sculptor, Jim Partridge who cut the shape of a cross, or church, from the bottom of it as a symbol of 'original return'. On the floor in front of it the words are carved the words: 'No nation, no church, no individual is guiltless. Without repentance and Without forgiveness there can be no regeneration.' Pictured at the new altar are (right) the Venerable John Morrison, Archdeacon of Oxford and verger Michael Power.

How to be fresh with Christianity Mission Double 0 Heaven BREAKFAST in a pub with ex Kray gangster, Chris Lambrianou, now a committed Christian, in one of the main events at Churches Together in Botley and Cumnor's week long mission from 26 November to 3 December. The mission, called 'Double 0 Heaven', is led by Angela Butler; an Anglican min-ister and part-time member of Springboard, a national evange-lism resource group sponsored by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and based in Abingdon. Other events include the opening service at Matthew Arnold School on Sunday 26 November when the speaker will be fitness expert, Rosemary Conley, a talk on 'Genetics and the future' by Professor John Wyatt of London University, a rugby master class and a Saturday morning children's workshop with 'Real Life Puppets' from Bath. On Saturday, 2 December at 7.30pm there will be a Service of Prayer for Healing at St Andrew's Church, Dean Court. For full details of the programme contact Richard Adams on 01865 248722.

The Door is published ten times a year. 45,000 copies are distributed in the Diocese of Oxford with the help of volunteers.

Editor Christine Zwart Telephone: 01865 208227

Assistant Jemimab Wright Telephone: 01865 208226

Photography Frank Blackwell

Business and distribution manager Tim Russian

Editorial support group Tim Russian (Chairman, Long Crendon),

John Crowe (deputy chairman, Aston and Cuddesdon Deanery);

Clemency Fox (Marston), Keith Lamdin (Director of Training), Jo

Saunders (Social Responsibility Officer), Leighton Thomas (Abingdon

Deanery), Richard Thomas (Communications Officer), John

Winnington-Ingram (Cottisford), David Winter (Cold Ash).

Editorial address Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford,

0X2 ON B. Fax: 01865 790470. e-mail: door@oxford.anglican.org

Advertising address David Holden, 4th floor, Westway House, Botley,

Oxford 0X2 9JW. Telephone 01865 254506. Fax 01865 249211.

dholden@diocesan.fsnet.co.uk

The DOOR is published by Oxford Diocesan Publications Ltd

(Secretary Mrs Rosemary Pearce).The registered office is Diocesan

Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford, OX2 ONB.Tel: 01865 208200.

Deadlines for February 2001 DOOR (no January DOOR): Features 8 January.

Letters, What's on and Advertising 15 January.

News 22 January.

While every care is taken to ensure the reliability of our advertise-

në,thlfirTqltir in160'0Q4kW not guarantee it or mean that

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Bishops and Archdeacons

BISHOP OF OXFORD The Right Revd Richard Harries,

Diocesan Church House, North Hinksey, Oxford, 0X2 ONB

Tel:01865 208200. Fax: 01865 790470.

E-mail: bishopoxon@oxford.anglican.org

ARCHDEACONRY OF OXFORD Bishop of Dorchester The Right Revd Cohn Fletcher,Arran House,

Sandy Lane, Yamton, Oxford 0X5 1 P B Tel: 01865 375541.

Fax: 01865 379890. E-mail: bishopdorchester@oxford.anglican.org

Archdeacon The Venerable John Morrison, Christ Church, Oxford OX1

1 D Tel: 01865 204440. Fax 204465.

E-mail: archdoxf@oxford.anglican.org

ARCHDEACONRY OF BERKSHIRE Bishop of Reading The Right Revd Dominic Walker,OGS,

Bishop's House, Tidmarsh Lane, Tidmarsh, Reading RG8 8HA

Tel: 01189 841216. Fax: 0118 984 1218.

E-mail: bishopreading@oxford.anglican.org

Archdeacon The Venerable Norman Russell, Foxglove House,

Love Lane, Donnington, Newbury, Berks RG14 2JG

Tel: 01635 552820. Fax: 01635 522165.

E-mail: archdber@oxford.anglican.org

ARCHDEACONRY OF BUCKINGHAM Bishop of Buckingham The Rt Revd Mike Hill,

Sheridan, Grimms Hill, Great Missenden, Bucks HP16 9BD

Tel: 01494 862173. Fax: 01494 890508.

E-mail: bishopbucks@oxford.anglican.org

Archdeacon The Venerable David Goldie, 60 Wendover Road, Aylesbury,

Bucks HP21 9LW Tel: 01296 423269. Fax: 01296 397324.

E-mail: archdbuc@oxford.anglican.org

New Licensed Lay Ministers

The Bishop of Buckingham is pictured with the Oxford Diocese's eight new LLM's (formally Readers). They were licensed by Bishop Mike in Christ Church Cathedral on 28 October. Left to right are:

A TASTE OF LIFE IN PARAGUAY came to members of St Peter's Church, Maidenhead recently when Bishop John Ellison and his wife Judy (pictured above with the Revd Lee Raytle/d) led a morning service at St Peter's. The Ellison's are missionaries with SAMS the South American Missionary Society and have been working in a rural part of Paraguay since 1988. Their church is a school during the rest of the week. In an attempt to raise funds for local buildings the Ellison's had T-shirts for sale at £6 each. Each one sold will provide enough money to buy one sheet of cor-rugated iron. For more details contact Brian Belcher on 01628 638982

MEMORIES OF A VILLAGE LIFE In her 100th year Dorothy Squires has written an account of her Edwardian childhood in the Vale of the White Horse. Her story re-creates the simplicity of those times with images of a large industrious family enjoying homely pleasures. Memories of a Village Life costs £6.50 of which Dorothy is donating £2 to church funds. For a copy contact Cyril Hawkins on 01865 245602.

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THE DOOR DECEMBER 2000

Pea oe& oaces

SNIPPETS

THE SERVICE in Westminster Abbey, to mark the beginning of the new Q uinquennium, was impres-sive, with the bishops and clergy - barring the odd rebel - splendidly arrayed in Convocation robes. I was surprised to find myself sit-ting next to the Bishop of Oxford, who (knowing my pro-Book of Common Prayer views) leant over to me and said, 'You'll be pleased to see we're having the traditional version of the Lord's Prayer, specially for you!'

Once inside the Assembly Hall in Church House, I was struck by how very circular it is, and how very difficult it is to clamber out of one's seat during the proceedings. There is a good deal of com-ing and going, and as much activity seems to take place in the tea room as in the for-mal sessions. One of the most interesting debates was on a motion from the Bristol Diocesan Synod, about Communion before Confirmation - a sub-ject which, apparently,

comes up for fairly frequent discussion. The Bishop of Rochester provided some very thoughtful theological insights, and Synod mem-bers were grateful for a rare and informative con- tribution from the Ecumenical Representative of the Baptist Union.

Less useful, perhaps, was a motion criticising the current sanctions against Iraq. I could not help feeling that members of Synod lacked the necessary expertise to discuss complex matters of this kind, and that the UN was unlikely to give much credence to their views. This was, perhaps, reflected by the fact fewer than half the members of Synod were pre-sent for the debate. All in all, though, it has been a pleasure and a priv-ilege to serve on the General Synod for my first Group of Sessions, and I am looking forward to the next sitting in July.

Prudence Dailey is a business systems analyst for an international retail company

and a member of St Andrews, Headington.

A Vale of praise BBC Songs of Praise went down Aylesbury Vale on Sunday, 19 November. The programme was based in the Church of SS Peter and Paul, Buckingham but presenter, Stephanie Hughes, covered a large area of the 300 square mile Vale which runs from Buckingham down to Wendover. She talked to Christians in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, on Silverstone Race Track and from Buckingham University. Pat Batton, the chief steward at Waddesdon Manor spoke about his faith and so did Ursula and Cohn Coles whose student son, Jonathan was murdered. The blessing was given by Canon David Meara, Rector of Buckingham who is moving to London to be Vicar of St Bride's, Fleet Street.

Souper surprise Bernard Dagnall, Team Vicar of Newbury sent off two coupons and his original recipe for tarragon lemon chicken to Campbell's soup expecting only their special offer of a pair of oven gloves in exchange. But a few weeks later he learned that his recipe was one of eight winning entries and that the prize was a five day trip to Philadelphia, the home of Campbell's soup, for Bernard and his wife Jenny. During their visit the prize winners were invited to cook their recipes. Tarragon lemon chicken was also on the menu at the parish harvest lunch where it went down a treat.

Sixty years to celebrate A former Vicar of Buckland, Father John Phipps is cele-brating 60 years of ministry on 17 December at St Paul's, Bedford where he still serves as an honorary assistant minister. The preacher at the 10.15 am celebration Eucharist will be the Bishop of Bedford. It is hoped that some of Father John's former parishioners will attend.

A mastermind idea One of Oxford's landmarks, the Church of St Mary Magdalen, has launched a recipe book to raise funds

for the church's West End Development Trust. The recipe book called Mary Mag's Feast for All Seasons (with Handy Household Hints) was launched on 19 November by Stephen Follows who, besides being a member of the choir, was BBC's 'Mastermind 2000'. The Trust has been set up to raise £550,000 to provide better security, new facilities for congregational gather-ings, meetings and concerts, the exposure of the beautiful West window and easier access for disabled people. We hope to review the recipe book next time after some Christmas sampling! Contact William Martin, Sylvanway, West End Rd, Mortimer, Berks, RG7 CTP 0118 933 3252. Price £6.50

Jim'll fix it Local clergy of all denomina-tions are invited to Stoke Mandeville Hospitals Spinal Injuries Unit on 4 December at 2pm to eat some unusual pre-Christmas fare - straw-berries and cream - and lis-ten to Sir Jimmy Savile talk-ing about the Women's Royal Voluntary Service. The aim is to inform church-es about local volunteering opportunities. Alison Brumfitt, WRVS volunteer-ing and communications officer said: 'It has become common for church mem-bers to volunteer abroad, whilst great opportunities for mission in local commu-nities are often overlooked. WRVs is already working in these local communities and would like to extend a we!-come to volunteers from local churches'. Contact Alison on 07714 898717.

He shines in the dark The new Bishop of Dorchester has been meeting the people of Oxfordshire. In Witney dean-ery he attended an open meet-ing at Bampton Church where, for the first time, a deanery choir sang under the direction of Wanda Adams of the Oxford Harmony Trust. As Bishop Cohn began to speak the church was plunged in darkness but he continued by torchlight. 'His unflappability and approachability impressed everyone' said Wanda Adams.

Sister Elizabeth Anne 'I have been at St Mary's Convent Wantage since 1987. Prior to that I was a town plan-ner for the London Borough of Richmond. I have a teaching ministry in parish missions; in parish work in Wantage; I help at the 'Oxford shelter in Luther Street.1 am on the steering committee of Women in Mission. Currently I am on a part time placement at Westminster Abbey as an advi-sor to the Dean and Chapter on their pastoral policy.' Dennis Parker 'A member of Greyfriars, Reading for 30 years, a church-warden for ten years, now retired from dental practice. Actively involved in the daily ministry of the Greyfriars centre and in mem-bership of Gideons International with school and prison visits. My wife and I lead a worship group for adults with learning difficulties. Three grown children include a son, and son-in-law in ordained Anglican ministry and a cordon-bleu chef daughter, so cared for spiritually and bodily!' Margaret (Maggie) Ellis 'The daughter of two teachers, I myself am a English teacher and married to a schoolmaster. Our two sons are both at University. I wor-ship at St Bamabas' Church, Jericho, and, as a Franciscan Tertiary, am a member of a world-wide dis-persed community of men and women whose lives are directed by the vision of St Francis of Asissi. I love gardening, but am a reluctant cook!' John Leach Born in Lancashire and studied in Oxford, John Leach was a teacher at Sherborne, St Edwards and Brighton College (as headmas-ter). He has written a Biography of Pompey the Great and excavat-ed Dorset, Provence, Wales and on Hadrian's Wall. He is married to

Rosemund and they have two sons, James, a curate, and Edward a physiotherapist in Calgary. He is a churchwarden in Taynton. Bob Peters Bob worships at St Andrew's Church, Sonning-on-Thames and its sister church, St Patrick's Charvil. He has worked in jour-nalism and PR for 30 years, the last twelve as a freelancer. He is married with two daughters. He is Governor of Sonning CofE Primary, and belongs to the Association of Christian Writers and the Christian Caravanning and Camping Fellowship. Juliet Day Juliet is a researcher into early Christian Worship. She is Associate Tutor in Theology at Oxford University Dept of Continuing Education, and Tutor in Liturgy at St Stephen's House, Oxford. She attends the church of St Michael and All Angels New Marston Oxford, where she is Sacristan. Teresa M Kennard '1 was born and brought up in the Midlands, and I graduated from London University. I am married to David. After living in London for several years, we moved to Maidenhead. We have a son and a daughter, both now adult. I work in the areas of health and education.' Chris Leslie Chris and his wife Jean have worshipped for thirty years at Greyfriars Church, Reading along with their three daughters, now grown up. A placement at St Mary's Shinfield, as part of his training as an LLM, led to an appreciation that God was leading him to work there in a rural set-ting rather than in a town centre parish. This has involved much change, including the develop-ment of the use of Emmaus courses as part of the parish's vision for outreach.

A trac tbnahst at Synoc PRUDENCE DAILEY, newly elected member of General Synod, gives her first impressions of the November group of sessions

ATTENTION! We are looking for volunteers

aged 18-75, who live in and around the London area,

to take part in clinical trials.

In return you will have a medical and receive payment for your

time and inconvenience.

For further information, Please telephone

0208 963 4502 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday

Hammersmith Medicines Research Central Middlesex Hospital

Acton Lane NW10 7NS

ORDER FORM Please send copies of THE CHURCHWARDEN'S YEARBOOK 2001

@ £7.95 inc p & p Name

Address

Diocese

Berkswell Publishing Co Ltd., P0 Box 420, WARMINSTER,

Wiltshire BA12 9XB Tel/Fax: 01985 840189 I.

.1

THE CHURCHWARDEN'S YEARBOOK 2001

Diary: Advent 2000 - Epiphany 2002.One-week-to-view. Festivals, Saints days, Flag Days, Bank Holidays, Liturgical Colours, Lectionary Readings.

Articles: Security, Health & Safety, Interregnums, Preparing the Altar, Duties of Churchwardens, Church Organs, Provision for the Disabled.

Reference: Dioceses, Bishops, Useful Addresses, Helpful Reading, Conversion Tables, 4 Year Calender.

Size A5 (210 x 145mm); 160 pages; £7.95 inc p & p

r

•1

S

prospects 0 INVESTOR IN PEOPLE

Join our team in Reading. Corporate Services Manager; a key support role; co-ordinating a new team at Head Office and providing advice and support on insurance, health and safety, fleet management and corporate policy to directors and managers in 14 locations. Closing Date.' 1st January 2001.

Finance Assistants; working with the Director of Finance; essential are computer literacy, financial skills (book keeper level) and attention to detail; desirable are AAT Intermediate and knowledge of Sage. Closing Date: 30th November 2000.

Personnel Administrators; to provide advice and support to a core of 220 staff; administrative experience and computer literacy essential; payroll and recruitment experience desirable; development opportunities. Closing Date: 30th November 2000.

PA's to Directors; Closing Date,' 30th November 2000.

Day opportunities worker; supporting people in developing their independence, hours 18.5 per week, NVQ training provided, starting salary £9524 pro-rata. Closing Date: 28th November 2000.

Late applications may be considered.

PROSPECtS (formerly A Cause for Concern) is a Christian voluntary organisation which values and supports people with learning disabilities. It provides a growing number of residential and day services for adults with learning disabilities, and advice, training and

materials for churches in their response to local people with learning disabilities,

Committed Christians interested in any of the above posts should contact Chloe Stroud on 0118 950 8781 or e-mail personnel@prospects.org.uk for the appropriate job description and application form,

THE DOOR DECEMBER 2000 5

Interview...

It

i Val Jourdan AFTER A JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM as a volunteer in 1982 Val Jourdan's life was never the same again. Her visit also changed the quality of life for hundreds of disabled children in Gaza and the West Bank of Palestine. It inspired her to found Action around Bethlehem Children with Disability which, in the midst of political unstability and dan-ger, brings help and support to Muslim and Christian families alike

BEFORE I went to Bethlehem I had lost direction in my life. I have always had great faith but inevitably in teenage years and twenties it dropped away. In 1982 Martin and I needed a bit of space in our marriage. Going to Bethlehem was a self-ish thing to do in some ways but it was our way of dealing with our problems and it was a turning point in my life, Martin's life and in the life of the family.

At school I read Albert Schweitzer from cover to cover and have al.vays wanted to help the developing world but being the first girl in the school to fail English Language twice it was obviously not an option to become a doctor. But I fought hard and became a physiotherapist.

I am quite sure that God was guiding my life when I went to Bethlehem. I applied through British Overseas Medical Services and there were several other options but Bethlehem came up first and that was working as a foreign volunteer with the Cheshire Foundation. So off I went and spent a huge-ly rewarding year out there as

a physio working in what had been initially a Leonard Cheshire home but had even-tually been taken over by its own board of trustees with the Cheshire Foundation just help-ing providing foreign volun-teers and offering support. It had been originally started for six young girls but when I got there there were over 40 chil-dren and every day there were parents on the doorstep with their children.

Life changing I came back to my family thinking that I would just settle back into my life here. But the Cheshire Foundation couldn't find anyone to follow me and that concerned me greatly. Then I met a number of people who were very interested in what was going on. One of them was a great girl friend of mine called Georgina Mortimer and she said what-ever you are going to do, I'll help. I can type!'

So with the backing of Leonard Cheshire and a num-ber of other people who were interested in rehabilitation or in that particular area of

Palestine we formed ABCD in 1985 - in this house in Long Crendon.

It was very tough in the beginning. Georgina and I did the running around, following up every contact that we had. Basically we were raising money and our main target areas were the churches and the Palestinian community in London. Foreign volunteers are great but Palestinian peo-ple are clever people and given the skills, resources and train-ing programmes they could do things as well if not better.

Leonard Cheshire had given this home, called the Bethlehem Arab Society, a piece of land in Beit Jala just outside Bethlehem which had been kept safely during the Six Day War. We were able to help in the building of a wonderful rehabilitation centre there. We also wanted to try and start training programmes in paramedical skills and in the late 1980's, together with Save the Children, we started a physiotherapy degree course at Bethlehem University which gave Palestine its first raft of professionally trained physio-therapists. We have also just finished training the first occu-pational therapists through Bethlehem University.

Community care After training, the next big area we moved into was an outreach programme. We were discovering many families in rural areas who had never had any help at all with their dis-

abled children. So over the years we have built up seven day care community centres out in the rural areas. As our project for 2000 we are launching our first multidisci-plinary team of Palestinian professionals who are able to go out into people's homes with a mobile van equipped to put in proper toiletting, seat-ing, and with facilities to mea-sure children up for wheel chairs, standing frames and all the things that go with disability.

Ultimately we hope that the new Palestinian Authority will be able to take over the run-ning of these things. But there is so much poverty that dis-ability is way down on their list of priorities. In 1982 it was a stigma to have a disabled child in the family and I dis-covered some ghastly cases where the children had been shut away. But during the vio-lence of 'the Intefada' of 1987 many Palestinians became dis-

abled and they became the heroes. If it is possible to look upon violence and say good came out of it an acceptance of disability came out at that time.

In the present problems we have been asked to help as an emergency centre and have been taking in a number of the head injuries once they have stabilised. We are also setting up a multidisciplinary team in trauma counselling: this is an area that has never been touched before.

Humanitarian need I can't change the politics of the place and I am not a polit-ical person anyway but I can help on a humanitarian level and we help Christian as well as Muslim children alike. In the present crisis we are in touch with the rehabilitation centre every day and our team are able to keep in touch with all the families we support.

VAL JOURDAN was born and educated in Beaconsfield. She trained as a physiotherapist at the Middlesex Hospital and then worked in what is now the South Bucks NHS Trust. After working in Bethlehem for a year as a vol-unteer, she founded and directed ABCD, a charity dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with physical, mental and psychological disabilities in the West Bank and the Gaza. Val is married to Martin and they have three married daughters and five grand children and live in Long Crendon where Val is a member of St Mary's Church. She remains a trustee of ABCD.

and when it is over we will be out there and getting things back as they were.

There was such a hope for peace on both sides and Bethlehem was built up for the Millennium. Now there are no tourists going and no money coming in and the poverty is extreme. Georgina Mortimer, who is now the Director of ABCD, put it this way: 'It is a tragic setback that will shatter the hopes and dreams of a peo-ple who had seen the first glimpse of better peaceful future. Let us pray that their inherent strength, determina-tion and dignity will see them through and that calm and sanity can be restored.'

I find it quite difficult to talk about my faith but Jam what I call a doer. I went to Bethlehem in the first place because I needed help. I know where that help came from and it has changed me hugely. It is quite easy in anything you do in your life to go in the wrong direction so persistently I ask that the work of ABCD is God's work and that it goes in the direction in which he would wish it to go.

aph by Frank Blackwell

t by Christine Zwart

You can help disabled children in Bethlehem ABC D's 'Millpennyum Appeal' aims to raise at least

abAcd £20,000 to help disabled, disadvantaged children in Palestine to enter the new millennium with dignity, independence and hope. The money will be used to buy medical euipment, food, education-al materials and toys. £25 buys a leg splint for a child, £100 a specially adapted chair. Please send donations to Val Jourdan, Wapping, Long Crendon, Bucks HP18 OAL. Telephone 01844 201071 (cheques to 'ABCD'). You can also help by buying ABC D's Christmas card which shows a Dove of Peace and costs £2.50 for ten from the above address.

Church Housing Trust is a charity offering security, independence, reha-bilitation and support for homeless people of all ages. Your true Christian friendship can transform the lives of homeless people. Please pray for our work and help with a donation so this work can grow. Please give your support, now, by returning the coupon to:

CHURCH HOUSING TRUST, SUTHERLAND HOUSE,

70-78 WEST HENDON BROADWAY, LONDON NV/9 7BT

I would like to become a Friend to Homeless People.

D Please accept my donation of £

• Please send me details of your work 0

NAME & TITLE

ADDRESS

POSTCODE

Credit Card No.

Expiry date

Tel: 020 8202 3458

Charity Reg. No. 802801 'Church Housing

Trust

MOLIDAYS 2001 ROME

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Email: stembridge.millvirgin.net

Web: visitwales,co,uk

Those to whom mention of a visit to a Christian environment and outdoor education centre on the Isle of Wight brings mental pictures of Spartan accommodation, with more fellowship than food, walking, sailing or birdwatching with human teeth chattering in the teeth of a south west gale on an Island where the next stop is America, may do well to question these stereotypes. They are almost certainly missing a unique holiday experience. A more accurate image of Medico Valley Centre.

Newport might be a diamond, set within a

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the ministry now encompasses the facets of sail

Skiing Ski Switzerland & France on

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riow Rck Christian ski & snowboarding

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Besides holiday guests, 2000+ students of all

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A resident host couple care for guests and

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just be themselves at Medina, active or relaxed

as desired. Christian faith and fellowship is

integral in the ethos and atmosphere.

The Mission Statement aim is "to bring glory to

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prayer supporters see it as a vocation to enable

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More information is available on

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BLACKPOOL Holiday flats adjacent to

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YORKSHIRE DALES NATIONAL PARK

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Festive food by cookery writer Ann Way

THE RECIPES I have chosen are great favourites with my family. The ice bowl is a bit fussy to make, but it is well worth the trouble and always impresses ones guests! I find that it is best to place it on a glass plate if possible, to catch any drips if it melts slightly, though with luck it should last more than once if, after that course it is rinsed and replaced in the freez-er. The chicken recipe is delicious and can of course, be used with duck breasts if preferred. The Apricot Meringue cake is a recipe given to me by the chef of a hotel in the Norfolk Broads - the hotel made much of the fact that Horatio Nelson was reputed to have learnt to sail in that area!

Christmas Ice Bowl with melon balls Method Take two wide bowls approx, 10 x. 5 inches and 9 x 4 inches. Any size will do - but be sure its big enough to take all the fruit you want. In the larg-er bowl, pour about one inch of water and place some washed

holly leaves and berries. Set the bowl in the freezer until frozen solid. Grease the outside bottom of the second bowl and set it inside the larger bowl. Pour water down between the sides of the two bowls to about 1 1/2 inches from the top. Push more washed holly and berries into the water. Try to space them evenly around. Flowers can be used if preferred. Once again place the whole thing in a fiat space in the freezer until frozen hard. Bring out the bowl and fill up the space with alter-nate single holly leaves and berries and top with water coloured with red or green food colouring. Freeze again until needed. To remove the bowls place in a sink filled with cool water up to the rim of the outer bowl and a jug full of warm water inside the bowl. Store in the freezer until needed and then fill with melon balls. I suggest using at least two different coloured melons.

Chicken breasts in orange & honey sauce Ingredients 6 chicken breasts

Juice of two oranges (shred the skin finely into Julienne strips to garnish) 1 tablespoon lemon juice 8 oz chicken stock 1 tablespoon of honey 3 cloves, pepper and salt 1 tablespoon cornflower 2 tablespoons corn or sunflower oil 1 small onion finely chopped

Method Brown the breast all over in the oil and place in a casserole. Add the

stock and the orange juice, lemon

juice, honey, cloves and vinegar,

onion pepper and salt Cook for

about one hour in a medium oven or until the pieces are tender. Place

the chicken, when cooked, on an oven proof serving dish and keep warm while you thicken the remain-

ing juices with

the cornflower

with a little

water or cold

stock in the cnscprole dish.

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pieces to glis-

ten it and deco-rate with orange rind julienne strips

and serve with the remaining sauce

served separately. Broccoli and peas are a nice accompaniment though winter spinach is also nice with it.

Apricot Meringue Cake Ingredients

4 egg whites 8 oz castor sugar 4 oz dried apricots

1 lemon

1/2 pint double cream

Method Whip the egg whites until stiff.

Add three tablespoons of the sugar and whip again until it

forms stiff peaks. Fold in the rest

of the sugar. Prepare three fiat tins with baking parchment and spread the

meringue in three eight inch cir-

cles, cook in a cool oven 275° F (Gas mark 1 or 125° C) for about an hour when the meringues

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the rest to sandwich the meringue rings. Pipe cream rosettes on the top, dribbling the remaining puree between them.

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THE DOOR DECEMBER 2000

7

Christmas thoughts

Feminist theologian,

Anne Borrowdale's

new novel, An

Inspector Falls* is

the story of Alison, a

woman priest strug-

gling to cope with

the unreasonable

demands of her con-

gregation, her family

life and her relation-

ship with a schools

inspector.

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the stresses and

strains faced by many

clergy especially

women at busy times

like Christmas

*An Inspector Falls (Ashton

Pickering £8.99)

'DID YOU have a good Christmas?', we say brightly to friends and colleagues, or they to us, when we see them again after the Christmas hol-iday. But so often there is only one reply: 'Well it was very quiet, you know'. I've been thinking about this.

The frenetic hype of a particu-lar idea about Christmas hits us in the face from late October onwards. We see glit-tering decorations, in the streets, in the shops, decora-tions to buy for our houses, glittering clothes to wear, glit-tering suggestions from every side of what we should eat and drink and give as pre-sents. The cultural assump-tions of people in general and retailers in particular, seem to represent Christmas as merely an opportunity for colossal

¼J L'

IT'S A BUSY TIME of year. There's the extended family to get together, a celebratory meal to organise, decorations to put up, gifts to be shared, relation-ships to be smoothed over - and that's just in the church. How do you manage if you're the one who has to do all that in the home too? As more women get ordained, particu-larly mature women who've previously made family life their priority, balancing min-istry and family life is a big issue. Of course men care about family life too, but it tends to be women who carry responsibility for running the home and sorting out family relationships.

I'm interested in ministry and family life both as someone who works with ordinands and clergy, and as a writer. My novel, An Inspector Falls has the tag, 'the familiar female struggle to juggle work, family, relationships and self-develop-ment gets a new twist for a priest with "perfection" in her job description.' It's not just clergy, these are issues for any-one trying to balance job or church work with family responsibility. What does God want us to put first?

Many people have stressful jobs, and their families feel the

self-indulgence, both for our-selves and for our children.

I find this difficult. As a mid-dle-aged widow with no chil-dren, I spend Christmas with my bachelor brother. The two of us spend time with friends and with nieces and nephews and their children, when they are free from other family obligations. Whenever possi-ble we invite others to share meals with us. But a lot of the time we are on our own; the hype, glitter, and excitement that everyone else thinks is a necessary part of the Christmas project seem to pass us by. It's like being in a desert full, not of glitter and excitement, but of emptiness. Yet, as Christians at Christmas, we do our own bit in our own way to remind our-selves and the world that

Anne launching An Inspector Falls at Diocesan Church House.

impact. Unfortunately, clergy can also get burnt out. It's not just that the job is demanding, but that if God's given you this vocation, it's difficult to say no, or to complain. People have high expectations of clergy, too - it may feel as if 'perfection' is in the job description, but aren't Christians called to be perfect, as their Heavenly Father is perfect? So clergy push themselves ever harder, and it's no surprise some col-lapse under the pressure, or their families fall apart. But there are extra dimensions for women clergy with the kind of family responsibility outlined above; who have not just a spouse or dependent children, but adult children, or grand-

Christ the Saviour of the world was born as a human being to be our Saviour too. He emp-tied Himself of glory for us.

Living in the desert A year or two after my hus-band died, when I was still in the depths of bereavement and of the struggle to make a new life, I said to a friend: 'I feel as if I am living in a desert - there's only emptiness, noth-ing has any meaning'. And the friend - it was Paul Rimmer - gave me a prophecy which he had heard at a conference some years before and had remembered. It said: 'I want you to stay in the desert, and if you stay in the desert it will blossom, not with the flowers of the field but with the flow-ers of the desert.'

Isaiah 35 confirms this: 'The

le children, or elderly relatives, relying on them. How can this be balanced with a calling to ministry?

There are no easy answers. Families have to learn that they cannot always come first, because a minister is called to serve a wider community than the family - and it can be help-ful for a family to learn to do things for themselves. Following me is more impor-tant than family ties, says Jesus. Churches have to learn that they cannot always come first, because family members are people who need care too - and ministers are less effective if they're exhausted and/or their family life is in tatters. We're called to be living sacri-fices, not half-dead ones. Sometimes the priority is clear

- a family or a church crisis tips the balance. More often, they are in tension and some-one is let down. Women who come to ministry emphasising both aspects, help to focus the issue, but it matters for every-body. At Christmas, it can be difficult for both clergy and laity to satisfy all the demands in different areas of our lives. Perhaps that can spur us to pray about the kind of balance God wants for us in the year ahead. Anne Borrowdale

wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom . . it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing.

This Christmas will be spent quietly, as others have been. But this year I shall try to stay in that desert space and quiet-ness, to look for the flowers of the desert as they blossom. There will, indeed, be blos-soming: the renewing of lov-ing relationships, the time spent in worship, thanking God for Jesus, singing familiar carols and hymns and listen-ing to the Christmas story and yes, good food and drink, pre-sents and fun, family, friends, fellowship and sharing.

Clemency Fox is a member of The

DOOR Editorial Support Group.

The strucc le .0 ucc

Christmas quietly - a reflection by Clemency Fox

FRO M THE

ED ITOR

If you're happy and you know it..

ARE YOU happy? 'Christmas Campaign 2000'

lence and family break ups peak.

So we make no organised by the Church's Advertising Network, evidently thinks that you should be even if you are not. Their poster (seepage 2) shows a laughing Jesus and the words 'Happier Christmas at a church near you'. For me the the words not only distort the real mes-sage of Christmas but pander to the idea that happiness in this world should be the norm.

According to Peter Hills, research co-ordinator of the Oxford Happiness Project at Oxford Brookes Unversity, there has been a significant cultural shift. People once thought of hap-piness as a hope perhaps unat-tainable until the hereafter. Now they think it is their right, he says.

The deep human longing for happiness must of course be taken seriously. Moments of true happiness are glimpses of heaven and all that awaits us there. But when happiness is an end in itself, the result is hedo-nism, the chasing after a better house, a better car, a better part-ner because happiness is always 'just round the next corner' It is at Christmas that the hunt

for happiness can become all consuming. We shop and wrap and cook until we drop hoping for that elusive 'happy Christmas' at a time when, iron-ically, suicides, domestic vio-

apology for a rather serious Christmas DOOR which is shorter than usual on tin-

sel and snow. We hope that Vinay Samuel's article on the incarnation, 'Christmas on the Quiet Side' by Clemency Fox, Anne Borrowdale's piece on clergy stress and our four origi-nal Christmas stories will help you to peel off the outer layers of Christmas and, whatever your circumstances, to redis-cover its message of Immanuel, God with us. This Christmas we celebrate a

momentous event 2000 years ago when the Son of God came to live among us. He did not choose to be born at the Bethlehem Hilton but in an uncomfortable, messy stable in the shadow of a cross. H is com-ing speaks more about shared pain than shared happiness.

In his book, Prayer and the Pursuit of Happiness (1985) the Bishop of Oxford wrote: 'The way to be happy is to know God better; to live closer to him; to love him more.' He includes a prayer which is our wish for you this Christmas: 'Heavenly father, We long for happiness but lead us beyond happiness to that joy from which nothing can take away'.

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THE DOOR DECEMBER 2000

Comment

The Revd Vivien Brooks Priest in charge of the Good Shepherd, con Green to be Ecumenical Officer for Berkshire; The Revd Derek Chandler Priest in charge of Emmer Green to be Vicar of Emmer Green, Reading; The Revd Fane Conant, Vicar of Kelsall and Assistant Missioner in the Chester Diocese to be Priest in Charge of Seer Green and Minister for Evangelism in the Amersham Deanery; The Revd Joanna Coney, Portfolio Co-ordinator to be Diocesan Portfolio Officer; The Revd Mark Fitzwilliams Rector of Hambledon Valley Group Ministry to retire; The Revd Olivia Graham Assistant Curate Risborough Team to be Team Vicar Burnham Team Ministry; The Revd Beren Hartless, OLM Officer to be Diocesan Principal for OLM; The Revd R Hugh Kent Rector of North Buckingham to be

Area Dean of Buckingham; The Revd Sharon Mowforth, Curate Christ the Cornerstone, Milton Keynes to be known as The Revd Sharon Grenham; The Revd William Mason Vicar of Holy Spirit Bedgrove to be Associate Vicar (Senor Curate) Holy Trinity Haziemere; The Revd Trevor Nicholson School Chaplain Queen Anne's School Reading, to retire; The Revd Chris Russell formerly Curate of Holy Trinity, Deptford, Diocese of Southwark to be Curate to St Mary and St Lawrence, Reading Ito be known as Associate Vicar); The Revd Maurice Skinner has permission to officiate; The Revd Hugh Wakeling NSM Arborfield with Barkham to be NSM California St Mary and St John; The Revd Hugh White NSM in Duns Tew to be Rector of Deddington w. Barford, Clifton and Hempton.

CHRISTMAS is the celebra-tion of God with us; God taking on humanity. Seeing a make-over on TV of a middle aged mother made over to look glamorous, much to the delight of her excited daugh-ter and the TV host, I some-times wonder how long the lady will retain that glamour. Is God becoming human in Jesus something like a 'divine make over': God becoming human for a while, complet-ing a task and returning to his normal self? The Bible teaches otherwise. The humanity God takes on in Jesus is never shed. Carmen Christi a song from New Testament times found in Philippians Chapter 2 verses S - Ti 1 hails the exaltation of the incarnate Jesus with his humanity to the place of supreme divine authority.

St Paul also described Jesus as the 'last Adam' (1 Cor 15:46) and affirms that Jesus fulfilled the destiny of the first Adam, so to grow in the likeness of Jesus, to see Christ formed in us is to make increasingly real in our lives the purpose of our creation. Let me share with you my experience with individuals who lives incarnated some wonderful human qualities.

Radiance in simplicity Thirty-six years ago as a sem-inary student in central India, I was in a ministry placement with a tribal group in a remote forest area. While vis-iting a tribal village accessible to outsiders only a few months in a year, I met Lila Kirkpatrick, an American missionary who had lived in that village and worked in that remote area for twenty years. She lived simply in a traditional hut. Books on a shelf and a few pieces of mod-ern furniture marked her place as different. Lila Kirkpatrick displayed a radi-ance I found awesome but not intimidating. The simplicity of the surroundings, the absence of modern conve-niences appeared to make no

difference to a life that flour-ished in radiating joy, service, care, contentment and enter-prise.

Love restores humanity Later my wife Colleen and I were involved in ministry with poor families and chil-dren in the city of Bangalore. Not infrequently Colleen would bring home a badly abused or abandoned street child. Fifteen years ago Colleen brought home a boy aged around eight years who was so badly physically and sexually abused that he behaved like an unruly ani-mal. He was badly speech impaired and it was a miracle he was still alive as he could not clean himself and reacted violently to human touch. What could restore that child's humanity? We were deeply moved when a woman called Papamma volunteered to care for the child in her home. She cleaned the toilets in the community for a living.

She could not read or write. In the social hierarchy and caste system of Bangalore City, Papamma was at the bottom. Kumar began to heal physically at a rapid rate but the transformation to his per-sonality was dramatic. In four months, he became a little boy who loved games, eager to participate in every activity and be a helper. Papamma's love and care for Kumar was unconditional and seemed to be without limits. It restored Kumar's humanity.

There is an interesting twist to this story. Eight months after Kumar came to us, we saw the picture of a missing boy on a local television chan-nel that resembled him. We contacted the police and reunited Kumar with his par-ents. Kumar's father was the manager of a major city bank and belonged to the Brahmin caste at the top of the social ladder. Imagine their surprise when they found out that the person whose love and care

saved and restored their child was not an educated Christian missionary but a humble sweeper woman.

Humbly flourishing St Paul writes, 'I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fel-lowship of sharing in his suf-ferings, becoming like him in his death.' (Philippians 3:10). To follow Christ is to identify with him and allow him to be formed in us. We begin to incarnate in our lives qualities we are created for but which we often think are not possi-ble and sustainable in our lives. In his incarnation Jesus models the path for our humanity. In that journey from heaven to earth Jesus emptied himself of his divine glory, humbled himself, bccame a servant to all, gave his life in sacrifice and released life and power into human lives. In following that path we will discover the best of our humanity however paradoxical it might seem. But is that the only Christian

model of human flourishing for contemporary society? No, but it is at the heart of every attractive and whole-some model of human flour-ishing. Steve Redgrave's unique achievement in the Olympics also reflects that self-sacrifice, discipline and,i humility. He comes across as naturally, authentically human despite his superhu-man achievements. Human flourishing that is blindly self-ish and egotistical, whatever its artistic or material achieve-ments, fails to inspire or empower others. And it often crumbles under the weight of its own narcissism.

The incarnation of Jesus models God's pattern of human flourishing. This Christmas let us celebrate God's great gift to enable us to flourish as humans made in his image.

Canon Dr Vinay Samuel is Executive Director of the Oxford

Centre for Mission Studies

Journey from earth to heaven Canon Dr Viney Samuel looks at the Incarnation - a make-over that will last for eternity

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THE DOOR DECEMBER 2000

9

The Year of the Lord

PURISTS will say that the third millenni-um starts on 1 January 2001. But for most of us the Millennium Year is drawing to a close. We have been deliv-ered from the 'bug' which never was and the unhappy 'Dome' - despite the millions who have enjoyed a visit there.

But what about the Churches? I feel that the Churches have done their job. Most people are aware of the connection between the date and the birth of Christ - even if that has not yet led many to a deeper faith. For most of the year we have been taking stock - looking forward hope-fully and back at what has been achieved in the first two Christian millennia. Christians of all denomina-tions have been made aware that, while individual Christian lives have often been inspired by Christ's life and teaching, the history of the Church has sometimes been far from Christ—like. Memories of the Crusades, the bitterness of the Reformation (on both sides), the inquisition and the willingness to live with slavery and the appalling treatment of the Jewish people, are some of the blemishes on our corporate Christian lives. So let us pray that at the start of the third mil-lennium we can learn from the past.

The year 2000 has two pos-itive messages for the next millennium. The first is that when local church people went out of their buildings into the community with can-dles or Gospels, or the plounti-ng of a yew tree or wearing our 'Oxford Cross' , a consid-erable impact was made. Then later in the year at

Pentecost 2000 in the town centre, parks, racecourse and county show grounds the large numbers coming together made a great act of witness. In some places thousands came together, but in others numbers were disappointing because churches

were too busy inside their own buildings to join in. Where this happened we lost the opportunity to say to our neighbours - 'look the church is alive and well what ever you may hear in the press and radio.' However we should take heart, 'the rumour of God' is alive in our country. But we have to be bold if the secular world is to hear about Him, we must not keep Him within the confines of our buildings.

The second lesson is that if we are going out into our community to proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ it must be undertaken by Christians working together - showing that we are one. Almost every event held this year has been organised by local churches, and it is encouraging that the events have brought together the 'ecumenicals' and the 'evan-gelicals'. A practical example of this is the final pack The Christmas 2000 Resource Pack (5) which for the first time is issued by Churches Together in England and the Evangelical Alliance, and is available from the Christian Publicity Organisation.

So as the Millennium Year draws to a close, there is much to thank God for, and much to encourage us to look forward to the challenges to come. This has been 'The Year of The Lord' and so is next year!

Canon Derek Palmer is the ex Diocesan Millennium Officer!

Domine Jesus There is nothing original about paragraph 17 of Domine Jesus, the document issued by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It merely restates Pope Leo Xlii's denial of the validity of the holy orders of the English Church. In his letter Apostolicae Curae of 1896, Leo condemned English orders on two grounds, form and intention. Leo accepted that the 1662 form of ordaining or conse-crating an archbishop or bish-op was acceptable as to its form, but thought pre-1662 versions unacceptable. This objection is now invalid, because out of date. From some time in the twenties or thirties bishops of the English Church and its overseas extensions have routinely included amongst their co-consecrators Old Catholic and orthodox bishops. Leo's ether objection was on grounds of lack of intention. But according to St Thomas Aquinas, the bestowal of a sacrament is effective if the words uttered express the Church's intention, and according to the Council of Trent, the intention in bestow-ing a sacrament is valid if the minister shall 'intend to do what the Church does.' Leo's views on intention in bestow-ing sacraments contradict St Augustine, and are probably Donatist, ie heretical. - Further on, paragraph 17 refers to 'the genuine integral substance of the Eucharistic mystery'. A mystery is some-thing which the human mind cannot know. How can this have a substance? What does all this mean? The problem here I think is the use of Latin to make philosoph-ical statements. Paragraph 17, therefore is partly Out of date, partly heretical and partly meaningless. I think that is all anyone need say. John Peter Hudson Middleton Stoney, Oxon

Time for healing Your centre page 'A Time for Healing' in the October issue, makes very interesting read-

ing. Added to this it may also be helpful to readers to know that there is an organisation which operates mainly through branches in the various Anglican churches throughout this country and overseas. It is the Guild of St Raphael which was founded in 1915. We have a branch at St Andrew's Caversham, which has been in existence since 1955. Our Guild services are held monthly, followed by a meeting of the members. We also hold healing services sev-eral times during the year, the most recent being on 17 October when some forty-nine people attended. People do indeed benefit from heal-ing prayer and some for whom we have prayed, sometimes with the help of the medical profession, make what appears to be a remark-able recovery, even when it seemed that this would not be possible. Those of us involved in the ministry of the healing feel more than uplifted in our endeavours to offer ourselves as a channel for God's healing power. All are welcome to our healing services and you do not have to be a Guild member to receive the laying on of hands or anointing, which can also be received on behalf of someone other than yourself. Further details can be obtained from our Branch Secretary, Norman Kent, do The Parish Office, St Andrew's Church, Caversham, Reading RG4 7PW Sylvia Gñnsted Caversham

Many Anglicans and those of other Christian denominations have been directed to their respective church after undergo-ing a spiritual experience. I therefore find the inter-denomi-national arguments regarding the finer points of doctrine somewhat puzzling. God does not seem to be particularly concerned with them, there-fore why should we be? Tony Carrington-Ough Wantage, Oxon

Your helpful list of the contact details of some resources for Healing (October DOOR) includes Churches' Council for Health and Healing. Unfortunately, this organisation went out of existence on 31 Dec last. Although CCHH had been in a parlous state for some years because of a lack of institutional support from both the churches and the medical organisations of which it was mainly com-prised, some individuals con-tinued to approach it for advice and guidance. This will no longer be available. David Millard Oxford

In defence of bats I was horrified to see that you had given space in the November DOOR' to a report from the 'Movement against Bats in Churches'. I have never come across the organisation before, but sincerely hope that Catherine Ward, the report's author, is the only member. The conclusions which you outline are soobviously b1se that I wonder how Mrs Ward can claim that they are the result of anything more that unjnfoniiicd, biased hatred for these extraordi-miy mammals. All British bats are exclusively insectivores, so the only occu-pants of any church building who might have cause for con-cern are the odd woodworm or death watch beetle. Bats enter buildings through very small holes which are never of their own making. They do not chew wood, wires or fabric. If a church is lucky enough to pro-vide a home for a sizeable colony of bats, there may be a minor localised problem with their dropping, but these carry very little health risk, and are known to make good fertiliser! If any church, or individual, is concerned about bats inhabiting their buildings I invite them to contact their local Bat Group for well informed advice. The Oxon Bat Group, can be contacted do David Endacott, 17 Hedge Hill Road, East Challow, Wantage 0X12 9SD (01235 764832). Alan Thornton Witney Oxon

2000 years of life by Katharine Pyke

2000 years of life and death, 2000 years of light and dark, 2000 years of animals and humans, 2000 years of earth and sky.

2000 years of kings and queens, 2000 years of anger and happiness, 2000 years of hunger and greed, 2000 years of war and peace.

2000 years of love and hatred, 2000 years of birds and mammals, 2000 years of trees and buildings, 2000 years of school and play.

2000 years of rain and sunshine, 2000 years of concrete and grass, 2000 years of friends and enemies, 2000 years of Jesus and his disciples.

2000 years, 2000 years, 2000 years of

LIFE!

Katharine Pike won joint 2nd prize - 'Up to Year 6 (prima-ry) in Crowthorne's Millennium Poetry Competition. Dominic Burrell, aged 8, a member of the Sunday School of St John's Church Crowthorne, won the first prize for his nar-rative poem which we hope to publish in the next issue of The DOOR. Congratulations to all winners and runners up!

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'YOU'RE MAD!' I said. My friend Joseph the idiot.

Nearly all my life I'd known him. We grew up together, went everywhere together, shared our bar mitzvahs. I used to tuck into his mother's lokshen soup, he used to love my mother's gefilte fish. We once even shared a little piece of pork between us, just to see if Jahweh really would strike us dead.

He was best man at my wedding. But Joseph, he'd never married.

Not for want of opportunity, let me tell you. My life, with a business like his, who should be short of a wife? Tables, chairs, cabinets, coffins - a car-penter is never without work.

And now this... I changed my mind. 'No,' I said, 'you're

not mad. You're stupid!' He agreed, cheerfully. 'You're right. We

should have set out earlier. Then we could have stayed in a proper hotel like you and Rebecca. But. . .' He grinned and shrugged one of those infuriating shrugs he was so good at. 'God will look after us.' I looked round to make sure his. . well,

this Mary, this young woman he was with, this enormously pregnant young woman he was with. . I didn't want her to hear. I dropped my voice. 'That's not what I was talking about.' 'Warm and dry,' he said, looking round

him. 'And cheap. What more could a man want?'

Friend of Joseph

I moved close to him. 'It's a stable,' I pointed out. In my agitation, I'd stepped in something squidgy. Picking up a handful of straw, I scraped it off my shoe as best I could. 'For God's sake, it's full of animals! Is this any place to bring a baby into the world?'

Again, he-grinned ssnd shrugged. I hate'

you're stupid!' it when he does that. 'The angels aren't complaining. You want I should argue with them?' 'Angels, schmangels!' I said. 'Too many

bagels before bedtime, and you're dreaming about messengers from God! Enough, already.' I laid my hand on his arm. 'Joseph,' I told him, 'this is the real world. We're here in Bethlehem to be counted. It's a census. It's bad enough that they count you as two. If Herod should demand a recount, God forbid, you could already be three.'

'So,' he said, 'I pay taxes for three instead of two. It's only money. If Caesar wants it so much, let him have it.'

He made me so mad, I had to speak. 'For God's sake, Joseph, the baby isn't even yours!'

He didn't speak for a long time. Then he nodded. 'You're right,' he said. 'He's not mine. He's ours. All of us.'

I stared at him. 'Don't try and blame me,' I said. 'I don't know what you're talking about. And don't ever even sug-gest that in front of Rebecca!' He grinned again and shrugged the way

he does. 'Trust me,' he said. My friend Joseph the idiot..

Peter Mottley was first a professional actor and then a scriptwriter. His plays include Before Nell and A Matter of Etiquette. He lives in Pangbourne and wor-ships at St Mary's, Whitchurch-on-Thames.

'No,' I said, 'you're not mad.

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'She burst into song in this house and danced all over the kitchen'

MARY'S had her baby; Reuben, our neigh-bour, called in last night to tell me. He'd been to Bethlehem, for the census. He's known Joseph for years of course, they grew up together. He said he was sorry, for knocking on our door so late, but that he'd seen the lamp. It was all right, I was feeding John. I never thought I'd get used to all these scrappy bits of sleep you have to put up with when there's a baby around, not at my age, but I have. I like being all on my own with him, in the small hours, just him and me, and it won't last long. He's growing fast, my John is.

Reuben didn't give me any details, except that it was a fine boy. I hope Joseph found a comfortable place for them to stay, Mary wanted everything just right for her lit-tle one, she's very fastidious.

We got to know each other so well, the three months she stayed with me; it was a lovely time. Do you know, people are still saying that my husband had a stroke, because of that time before John came, when he couldn't speak, and Reuben hinted last night that there was gossip about Joseph too, his being an older man and everything, hints that the little one was probably someone else's.

I hope I see the baby soon, I want him to meet John. They could play together. He's a

solemn little thing, my bairn. If Mary's child takes after her he'll have her infectious laugh and her sense of fun. I'll always remember

how she burst into song in this house and danced all over the kitchen. She's a lovely lass.

I've counted back and the baby was born six days ago. I remember that night because John was tetchy and I carried him into the courtyard and showed him the stars. It was hard to believe there was no moon because the sky was so light, but there wasn't. There were just stars and in particular one that was enormously bright. I wish I knew more bout the heavens; I meant to

ask Zechariah about it. John calmed down the min-

ute he saw that star and wrig-gled and kicked and stretched out his arms; it reminded me

of the day he first moved in the womb, the day Mary visited, and told me her news.

Ann Pilling is a writer of children's books, novels and short stories. Her most recent book is Amber's Secret (Harper Collins £3.99) described by The Guardian's critic as 'a beautiful quiet book about faith, miracles and the kindness of strangers'. Ann lives in North Oxford and attends St Andrew's Church.

About the artist Emma Seebaran lives in Oxford and is married to Gus. She is a trained psychologist as well as an artist. You can contact her on 01865 742777.

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Jesus, Saviour o born in Bethieher Today the realiy lost in a sea of tir I hat is why we ir writers to consid event through thE dierent characte

V y men are cown town drinking and olaming it on the angels'

YOU CAN'T pull the wool over my eyes. When I find my shepherds downtown carousing, it's not angelic visitations to blame; they're skiving, plain and simple.

It's sheer chance I discover them. I've been doing business in Bethlehem, and this census means what seems like the entire population of Judea is cramming the streets like olives in a press. I take a detour round the back of an inn riotous with travellers, and find even the stable has been taken over.

As I glance in, I recognise faces. 'Shem! Simon! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be watching my flocks.'

Shem looks sheepish, then grins and starts babbling about a star and angels and a baby... 'You must have had a skin-

ful, to think I'd be taken in by such gibberish,' I say. 'Get back to work!'

Then I spot Zeb further in, talking to the tired-looking girl who's leaning over the manger.

'Don't tell me you're all here?' 'We left Bart,' says Simon. 'But he's only ten! What if wolves come?

What about my lambs? That new one that needs keeping warm?'

'Zeb has it, in his robe.' Zeb is making his way towards us. 'Where's my lamb?' I demand.

'I gave it to him.' He nods back at the man standing beside the girl. 'For his baby.'

'It's not yours to give. What's with you tonight? You're drunk, you're incompetent, I've a good mind to sack you. . .' I only mut-

ter this threat. Good shep-herds are scarce these days.

I fight my way over to the manger, where a crumple-faced, new-born baby lies swaddled on the hay.

I'm more interested in the lamb the man holds:

That's mine!' 'Here, take it,' he smiles.

'I've already got one little one to carry home, I don't want another.' Outside, my shepherds are

waiting, unseasonably cheerful. 'You'll get no pay tonight,'

I announce. But it doesn't stop them singing as we take the track up out of Bethlehem.

Something prompts me to look back. Funny, from this angle, there's a peculiarly bright star directly over the stable, almost as if it's trying to draw attention. Maybe Shem wasn't so drunk . . . maybe I missed something in there. I think of the girl, and the man, and the baby,

and the travellers settling down for the night. No, nothing out of the ordinary there, not that I can see. And no one pulls the wool over my eyes.

Dr Anne Borrowdale is a freelance theologian and writer. Her second novel, An Inspector Falls, has just been published. See page 7.

the world, was 2000 years ago.

)f his Girth is often sel and fake snow, vited four Christian r that momentous eyes of four very s of that time.

'I signed the death warrant for a generation' YOU PROBABLY hold me equally guilty of infanticide, a nonce to be kicked around the prison. Put glass in his porridge, it'll serve him right. But I had no alternative. However you con-strue it, there was nothing else I could do. If you've ever worked for a con-trol freak, a little Hitler, then you'll know what mean. I sleep in an adja-cent room with the protection guys and their dogs. We hear him through the night ranting and raving in his sleep: 'Fie, losels and liars, knaves everyone. Let them go hang. Fie on the devil.' Even the children chant in the street, 'There goes Herod, King of Thunder, He will break your bones asunder'.

I observed to his Majesty that the so-called 'king' was but a child, unable to stand on his own two feet let alone wear armour. 'These knaves and scoundrels will rally behind any banner, God damn them. What could be sweeter than an infant saviour to melt the hearts of the people?' he growled. 'Truly, Sir, prophecy is not blind,' I counselled. 'Isaiah says clearly Virgo concipiet, natum pariet - a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel - God with us'. 'So now you say he's a god?' 'Not a god, Sir, but that in him we are likely to see the character of godliness.

Elsewhere the prophet implies, if I may humbly suggest so to your Highness, that godliness will be expressed through service rather than power, through sacrificial suffering rather than aggrandisement'. 'Fie, you dissembler, you mountebank, you the-ologian. You don't pull the wool over my eyes with your sophistry. Politics is

decision and cannot wait on dreams.' What makes a king? Some say that mercy is enthroned in the heart of kings. Others that kingship is the ulti-mate self-denial. Melchior, Balthazar, and Caspar were full of graciousness and humility, but their intervention was not helpful. The notion of omens in the heavens and talk of having come to worship simply confirmed my master in his paranoia. The rest you know: his brilliant ploy, safe passage in exchange for information, backfired and his ire was unconstrained.

'My guts will out-thring But I this lad hang. Spare no kins blood, Let all run on flood.'

So you see, I had no choice. I signed the death warrant for a generation of our male children. Now it is I who shouts out in the night, while my mas-ter snores.

Brian Mountford is Vicar of Oxford's University Church and author of Stars of Wonder and The Sower, Mrs Noah, and a Dentist for children; and Changing Faces and Postcards on the Road to Heaven for adults. (All available at the University Church Shop)

The quotations are from 'The Wakefield Pageant of Herod the treat'

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THE DOOR : DECEMBER 2000

13

God who by the leading of a star revealed your Son to the nations of the world; lead us to a clearer vision of your pres-ence, anc the nations into the ways of unity and peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lorc Amen

I The Oxford Diocesan Prayer Diary is edited by Graham Canning

Please cut this section and use it to pray for the needs of the Diocese.

Let us pray to God our Father for:

DECEMBER 2000 Friday 1st Aylesbury Deanery. For their plans to develop the pastoral reorganisation of the parishes. To respond to mission with fewer stipendiary clergy. To link people with their communities at work, leisure, and at home. For all churches where new approaches to shared ministry are planned. For the area dean - Tim Higgins; synod lay chair-man - Roger Harwood; licensed lay minister to the deaf - Ursula Coles; licensed Lay minister - Reg Taylor. Saturday 2nd Aylesbury Team Ministry: clergy - Timothy Higgins, Peter Atkinson, Keith Watson, Peter Faulkner, Anne Faulkner, Liz Welters; licensed lay minister - Anne King.

THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT - INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR DISABLED PEOPLE Sunday 3rd For those who are dis-abled and for those who teach and employ them, especially those in our own parishes. Monday 4th Aylesbury Walton Team Ministry: clergy - Kevan Royle, Steve Williams, Nicholas Tivey: parish evangelist - Rupert Hankey C.A.; lay pastor - Roger Axtell: licensed lay ministers - Martin Roper, Betty Schwier, Alan Foster, Rose Williams. Tuesday 5th Bedgrove: clergy -John Elliott: licensed lay ministers - Marie Carey, Clive Coulson, Joseph Groat. Wednesday 6th Bernwode, Brill, Boarstall, Chilton, Dorton, Ludgershall, Wotton Underwood, Ashendon: clergy - Tma Stirling. Thursday 7th Haddenham w Cuddington, Kingsey and Aston Sandford: clergy —John Race; licensed lay preachers - Pam Halliwell, Joyce Harvey, Cohn Faiers-Nicholls. Friday 8th Long Crendon w Chearsley and Nether Winchendon: clergy - Roger Jackson, Arthur Taylor; licensed lay ministers - Stanley Green, Mary Scholefield. Saturday 9th Risborough Team Ministry: clergy - Paul Fiske, Bob Rhodes, David Dewick, Richard Caink, Andrew Meynell, Peter Steare, Olivia Graham; licensed lay ministers - Tony Andrews, Geoffrey Stevens.

SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT Sunday 10th Actors and all '.vho work in radio and television and in our local theatres to entertain us. Monday 11th Stone with Dinton and Hartwell: clergy - David Cooke. Worminghall with Ickford, Oakley and Shabbington: clergy - David Wallace, Nancy Wallace. Tuesday 12th Chipping Norton Deanery. For their churches engaged in pastoral reorganisation, and the working out of their dean-cry's pastoral strategy. For, the Chadlingron benefice in an inter-regnum. For the continuing work of the deanery training group and the building up of ministerial teams. For Ruth Sims and Jenny Alidina,

training to be licensed lay minis-ters, Anne Hartley locally ordained minister, Jan Fielden - non stipen-diary minister. For the area dean - Graham Canning; synod lay chair-man,— Elizabeth Higgs. Wednesday 13th Chadhington with Spelsbury, Ascott-under-Wychwood; licensed lay minister - Malcolm Dick. Thursday 14th Charlbury w Shorthampton: clergy - Judy French - licensed lay minister - Penny Nairne. Chipping Norton with Over Norton: clergy - Stephen Weston; licensed lay ministers - Elizabeth Allen, John Forest. Friday 15th Enstone and Heythrop: clergy - Tony Moore. Great Tew w Little Tew, Over Worton with Nether Worton: clergy - Robin Denniston; licensed lay minister - Rozanne Colchester. Saturday 16th Hook Norton w Great Rollright, Swerford and Wigginton: clergy - John Acreman, Christopher Turner; licensed lay minister - Janet Collins.

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT Sunday 17th Pharmacists and all those who work in our local chemist shops, and all who work in the pharmaceutical industry. Monday 18th Kingham w Churchill, Daylesford and Sarsden: clergy - Tony Cannon, Stephen Hayes, Geoffrey Shaw, Leslie Manderson: licensed lay minister - Bob Forster. Tuesday 19th Little Compton w Chastleton, Cornwell, Little Rollright and Salford: clergy - Glyn Evans, Hugh Williams. Wednesday 20th Ramsden, Finstock and Fawler, Leafield with Wychwood and Wilcote: clergy Jane Knowles. Shipton-under-Wychwood w Milton-under-Wychwood, Fifield w Idbury: clergy - Mike Williams, Frank Giles, Christopher Tadman Robins; licensed lay minister - Anthony Cable. Thursday 21st Bradfield Deanery. Giving thanks for continuing encouragement of work with young people in the deanery, through the ministry of Mark Berry (deanery youth work facilitator). For the on-going development of collaborative ministry in the four informal groups of parishes. For the work of the task force for training and spiri-tual development. For the area dean - Roger Howell; synod lay chair-man - Andrew Bond. Friday 22nd Aldermaston with Wasing and Brimpton: clergy - Pete Steele; licensed lay minister - Diana Bailey. Basildon with Aldworth and Ashampstead: clergy - Mark Mills-Powell, Charlie Vere Nicoll, Anthony Fothergill; licensed lay ministers - Margaret Davey, George Hudson. Saturday 23rd Bradfield and Stanford Dingley: clergy - Hugh Ellis; licensed lay ministers - Rosemary Green, Brian Norris. Burghfield: clergy - Brian Grundy. Stratfield Mortimer and Mortimer West End with Padworth: clergy - Paul Chaplin, Christopher Lea, Michael Oke,

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FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT - CHRISTMAS EVE Sunday 24th All who work in the hotel and catering industry, especial-ly those who work in our local restaurants and public houses.

Monday 25th CHRISTMAS DAY Tuesday 26th STEPHEN, DEA-CON, FIRST MARTYR Wednesday 27th JOHN, APOS-TLE AND EVANGELIST Thursday 28th THE HOLY INNO-CENT'S

Friday 29th Pangbourne with Tidmarsh and Sulham: clergy - John Staples: licensed lay minis-ter - Marion Collier. Purley: clergy - Roger Howell, Jean Rothery: licensed lay minister - Walter Watkivs. Sullhamstead Abbots and Bannister with Ufton Nervet: clergy Jonathan Sibley. Saturday 30th Theale with Englefield: clergy - Tim Ekin: licensed lay minister - Chris Braddock. Woollhampton with Midgham and Beenham Valence: clergy - Christine Redgrave, Elizabeth Oke: licensed lay ministers - Thelma Caughey, Hanslip Long. THE SUNDAY OF CHRISTMAS Sunday 31st All who work in power stations and the electricity industry, especially those working to keep our lights on while we are holiday.

JANUARY 2001 Monday 1st NAMING OF JESUS Buckingham Deanery Group Ministry. For the Buckingham benefice during the vacancy, that the right person is found to lead the church forward. For the 'Open Door' redevelopment project, that building work can begin in 2001. For the whole deanery that they may grow closer together and look outwards in mission and service. For the area dean - Hugh Kent, synod lay chairman - Juliet Rudolf. Tuesday 2nd Buckingham, Beachampton, Buckingham SS Peter and Paul, Radclive cum Chackmore, Thornborough, Thornton with Nash: clergy - Pauline Hardy, Ron Bundock: licensed lay ministers - Pat Faulkner, John King. Wednesday 3rd Lenborough, Adstock, Gawcott, Hillesden, Padbury: clergy - John Hudson. Thursday 4th North Buckingham, Akeley, Leckhampstead, Lilling-stone Dayrell, Lillingstone Lovell, Maids Moreton with Foscott: clergy - Hugh Kent; licensed lay ministers - Margaret Colley, Jean Farmer. Friday 5th Stowe: clergy - Ron Bundock. West Buckingham, Biddlesden, Shalstone, Tingewick,

Turweston, Water Stratford, Westbury: clergy - Vivien Baldwin. Saturday 6th THE EPIPHANY Bishops Richard (Oxon) Dominic (Reading) Mike )Buckingham) Cohn (Dorchester).

THE BAPTISM OF CHRIST Sunday 7th Carpenters and furni-ture manufacturers, including those who made our kitchen units, beds and other furniture in our own homes. Monday 8th Cowley Deanery. For the fourteen parishes of this deanery which include within that area 30% of the Urban Priority Areas of the diocese; Oxford's newer university (Oxford Brookes) and four major hospitals. For the churches' ministry in the exciting diversity of cultures, races and opportunities. For the area dean - Tony Price: synod lay chair-man - Patricia Michael; licensed lay minister - Philip Clayton. Tuesday 9th Blackbird Leys: cler-gy - James Ramsey. Wednesday 10th Cowley Team Ministry: clergy - Stephen Hartley, John Tomlinson, Peter Stanway, Vernon Orr, Wazir Chand; licensed lay minister - Eric Uren. Thursday 11th Cowley St John, SS. Mary and John, St Bartholomew's Chapel, Cowley, St John Evangelist (St Stephen's House): clergy - Adam Romanis, Angela Forbes, Keith Lamdin; licensed lay minister - Janet Proudman. Friday 12th Headington Quarry: clergy - Tom Honey, Alex Hughes; licensed lay minister - Deirdre Twycross. Headington St Andrew: clergy - Michael Brewin. Saturday 13th Headington St.Maoy: clergy - Jonathan Sewell; licensed lay ministers - Bernice Adepegba, Richard Chard. Highfield: James Cocke, George Bennett, Donald Cluer; licensed lay ministers - James Larminie, John Lightbody, Eve Vause.

THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EPIPHANY - PLOUGH SUNDAY Sunday 14th Seed merchants and all allied traders to the farming indus-try, especially those who make and provide the machines used on our farms and the tools of the gardeners. Monday 15th Iffley: clergy - Richard Lea, David Barton: licensed lay minister - Keith Eyeons. Lirelemore: clergy - Bernhard Schunemann, Jonathan Page, Sarah Coakley, John Muddiman. Tuesday 16th Marston with Elsfield: clergy—Tony Price; licensed lay ministers - Robert Bruce, Branse Burbridge, David Cranston. New Marston: clergy - Elaine Bardwell, Joanna Coney; licensed lay minister - Rosemary Rycraft. Wednesday 17th Oxford St.Clement: clergy - Bruce Gillingham, Penny Joyce, Tony Beetham, Vera Sinton, full time youth worker - Chris Trent, licensed lay ministers - Toby Garfitr, Kenneth Howson. Thursday 18th WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY begins. For all 'Churches Together' and local ecumenical projects. May they work to draw Christians of different

denominations to be one in Christ. Friday 19th Sandford-on-Thames: Clergy - Robert Morgan: licensed lay ministers - Brian Andrews, Liz Shatford.

I Saturday 20th Maidenhead Deanery. For the preparation of a new, effective deanery plan and thanksgiving for the increased spirit

I of collaboration. For leaders who are feeling overloaded or discour-aged. For the newly appointed parish press officers. For vacancies to be periods of spiritual growth. For fruitfulness from the consulta-tions in the 'west end' of the dean-cry and Windsor. For the area dean - Lee Rayfield; synod lay chairman -David Dufour.

THIRD SUNDAY EPIPHANY Sunday 21st Musicians, especially those in local bands and orchestras, and those who teach music, espe-cially those who teach our children and young people. Monday 22nd Bray: clergy - George Redpath. Clewer: clergy - Ian Randall. Tuesday 23rd Cookham: clergy - Michael Smith, Valerie Bonham, Anthony Welling; licensed lay min-isters; Terrie Robinson, Charles Walinsley. Cookham Dean: clergy - John Copping, Philip hid. Wednesday 24th Dedworth: clergy - Louise Brown. Hurley and

I Stubbings: clergy - Maurice Skinner, Roy Taylor; licensed lay minister - Hilary Davis. Thursday 25th THE CONVER-SION OF PAUL Knowle Hill with Littlewick, Warren Row: for the churchwardens during the vacancy. Maidenhead All Saints: clergy - Norman Brown, Rosemary Bragg, Robert Langton. Friday 26th Maidenhead St Andrew and St Mary Magdalene: clergy - Trevor Parkin; licensed

I lay ministers - Ruth Knight, Jill Palfrey, Adrian Taylor. Maidenhead St Luke: clergy - Richard Holroyd, Richard Nunn; licensed lay minister - Bob Glen. Saturday 27th Maidenhead St Peter Forte Platt: clergy - Lee Rayfield, Catherine Blundell, Nigel Sanders; full-time youth worker - John Collins; licensed lay ministers - Brian Rose, Pat Rose, Doris Swinbank.

FOURTH SUNDAY EPIPHANY Sunday 28th Shop assistants and managers and all in the retail indus-try, especially people in local shops.

I Monday 29th Maidenhead The Good Shepherd Cox Green: cler-gy - Vivien Brooks; licensed lay minister - Margaret Bird. New Windsor Team Ministry: clergy - Jeffery Whale, Ainsley Swift, John Quick. Tuesday 30th Old Windsor St Peter and St Andrew, Old Windsor St Luke Mission Room: clergy - Nigel Pocock, Prue Dufour; licensed lay minister - Mary Hutchinson. Wednesday 31st Waltham, Shurlock Row: clergy - David Cherry. White

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14

THE DOOR DECEMBER 2000

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Very few people aware that epilepsy is the most common serious neurological condition, affecting at least 30,000 people in the UK alone. With 80 people newly diagnosed every single day in this country, it is not a condition that anyone can ignore.

Epilepsy knows no social or cultural boundaries, it could effect any one of

us at any time in our life. In fact, one in 20 of us will have a seizure during our lifetime. It is a purely physical condition, not a mental one. In many cases, you wouldn't know that a person had epilepsy, because with today's medication more than 70 per cent of people have their seizures completely controlled. For the remainder, there is always hope that a new drug will be found or that their particular form of epilepsy could be cured, or at least improved, b, surgery. Unfortunately, many people with epilepsy are regarded as abnormal or in some way inferior to the rest of society. A high proportion experience prejudice at school, at work - even going down to their local shops. The National Society for Epilepsy is at the forefront of medical research, currently undertaking £3 million worth of research projects. The NSE also offers assessment facilities to give people the opportunity to have

their diagnosis completely reviewed if their seizures are not well controlled. The Society's headquarters in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire, provide a home for almost 300 people who have additional learning or physical difficulties as well as epilepsy. The NSE also aims to dispel the stigma and ignorance surrounding the condition, providing information, training and support services throughout the country. With the help of the National Society for Epilepsy, the majority of people with epilepsy live happy, independent and full lives, but only by continuing to educate the general public can the prejudice be wiped out.

THE WESTMINSTER BEAUMONT - The

helping residents get the most out of life

es minster OXFORD

Helping residents to maintain a full and active lifestyle is the aim of the Westminster Beaumont, Oxford, one of Westminster Health care's finest nursing homes. The home offers a whole range of exciting activities designed to make sure that residents get the most out of life. Home Manager Michelle Williams says: "Our endeavour is to make people's lives as interesting and as full as possible. We provide a person-centred approach led by the residents' needs." On offer is an impressive range of organised activities geared around residents' interests - everything from social events to art classes.

One new activity available to residents is surfing the web. The Westminster Beaumont is one of three homes that Westminster Health Care has recently provided with internet access. Michelle says: "We have our computer set up in the bar lounge area. It's great as it means that residents can send and receive e-mails from their relatives." Taking a pro-active approach to improving quality of life for residents starts with the basics ... health care. Here, the team at the Westminster Beaumont deliver an impressive service to meet residents' needs. Together with local GP Dr Mark Huckstep, the home offers screening clinics where residents have health checks such as blood pressure monitoring and urine testing. There are also regular case reviews to assess residents' needs. As you'd expect with such a forward-thinking approach, staff training is high on the agenda. As well as a thorough induction programme, all staff receive ongoing training - something which Westminster Health Care fully encourages. The home has recently created a dedicated training room, which will be used for staff teaching sessions and practical training. Home manager Michelle has been in the post since last November. She joined forces with Dr Huckstep and the matron in January. Together she describes them as "a new, strong team, still full of enthusiasm.

Michelle's next step is to find out whether this pro-active approach benefits residents. She is developing links with Professor Grimley Evans, Professor of Gerontology at Oxford University, and with the School of Nursing at-Oxford Brookes University. They hope to carry out research and a survey of residents' satisfaction. Five miles from the centre of Oxford, the Westminster Beaumont is an old Edwardian house with a purpose built extension and is situated within the grounds of Bagley Woods. It has 49 beds and fourteen apartments. It offers both respite and long-term nursing care - and also has a wing devoted to residential care. The home also has a wide range of services including physiotherapy, chiropody, hairdressing and a hydrotherapy pool. It even boasts its own minibus and car - with a driver who works 365 days a year. "Having this is a real plus," explains Michelle. "The driver will ferry people to their medical appointments and to social events such as shopping trips or a visit to see relatives." She says: "Our residents have enjoyed full and active lives - there is no reason why that should stop when they walk through our door." The Westminster Beaumont, Oxford is run by Westminster Senior Living, one of the leading providers of quality care for older

people in the UK, snd part of Westminster Health Care. Westminster Senior Living operates over 90 nursing homes throughout the UK - all combine comfort, homeliness and security with the highest levels of service and nursing care.

For enquiries about the Westminster Beaumont, Oxford, please contact Michelle Williams, The Westminster Beaumont, Bayworth Corner, Bayworth Lane, Boars Hill, Oxford OX! 5DE. Telephone 01865 730 990.

The

National Society for Epilepsy

CAN YOU HELP?

The chances are that somebody you know has epilepsy; a member of your family, a friend or a colleague.

You may not know they have epilepsy; some people find it difficult to tell even the closest friends.

Why? Because even today epilepsy carries such a stigma.

Yet at any one time more than 300,000 people in the UK have the condition. 1 in 20 people will have a seizure during their lifetime.

With yaur help we can continue our vital work But We need your help now!

For more information about the work of The National Society for Epilepsy or to make a donation, please contact:-

FR Dept, The National Society for Epilepsy, Reference DP, Chesham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks SL9 ORJ.

Tel: 01494 601444 or visit our website at www.epilepsynse.org.uk

I would like to give a donation to Name the NSE I enclose £

Address

X Yb

Please send me an information pack so that I can learn more about the NSE and its work.

Post to: FR Dept, The National Society for Epilepsy, Reference DP, Chesham Lane, Chalfont St. Peter, Bucks SL9 ORJ. Tel: 01494 601444

THE DOOR DECEMBER 2000

15

TO ADVERTISE RING: 01865 254506 Ac

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a Iiij )A WLfi The Changing Pattern of life Trinity Care's vision has always been to provide whole person care to people in need of residential or nursing care. This has primarily been through nursing and residential care homes and Trinity Care currently manages 27 homes around the country but increasingly the company is exploring new ways of meeting care needs. At the latest Trinity Care development in Aylesbury the company has been considering ways of assisting the local community by developing innovative care ideas. Arrangements are now well advanced for the relocation of a number of older patients currently receiving long term care at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. It is hoped this venture will be a start of a fruitful relationship. Trinity Care through its commitment to purpose built buildings is able to provide a quality service and environment. Similar partnerships have been made with other

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The Langley House Trust The doors shuts and the young man steps out. Keith has passed through many doors today. First thing this morning it was the cell door, the the many doors between his landing and the discharge suite of the prison and then the prison gate itself. Stepping out into the street was a surprisingly daunting prospect but spurred on by his fellow inmates the lads inside had acknowledged his departure with the usual shouts and cries from the barred windows inset into the Victorian wing of the building. Keithstepped out and looked back at prison from the outside. Something he had not seen for 23 months and 14 days. The view was not something he recognised, the clean 'new brick' appearance of the prison gatehouse, the smart prison signs and flower beds that adorned the prison reception area. This did not tally with the experiences he had just left behind. Prison had been hard and if there was anything Keith could do to stop himself from returning he would do it. Like many others before him, his intentions were very honourable, this was to be a fresh start, a new beginning. Its true Keith wasn't going to turn into an angel and start helping liftte old ladies across the road, but he was confident that he was going to stay out of trouble. First things first . somewhere to live. Looking at the discharge grant he has in hand he wonders where he could possibly afford to live. This money will have to last him 14 days until he will be

able to start receiving his Housing Benefit. He's probably got enough to last him a week. There will be a great temptation to bridge the gap with a little slip back into his old ways. For many people tike Keith they have little or no hope of surviving crime-free. Ex-offenders enter a hostile world, without help many will re-offend. The Langley House Trust believes that people can change for the better and provides accommodation and care based on Christian principles of love. We believe that people can change for the better. This means helping leavers to address their own problems. A Christian charity with over 40 years experience of working with ex-offenders, we work in locations across England. We work alongside people, addressing their physical, mental and spiritual problems. We are a leading provider of accommodation and support to people who are otherwise hard to place because of their history. If you believe that people should have the opportunity to change for the better and would like to hear more about our work with ex-offenders email into@lanleyhousetrust or write to Langley House Trust, FREEPOST, P0 Box 181, Witney, Oxon 0X8 6YG One day, almost all prisoners will be released into the community. May the Spirit englighten us all to the truth of God's forgiveness and love and give to those leaving prison encouragement and the will to seek opportunities to make a fresh start. Prisoners' Week Committee

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18 DECEMBER 2000 THE DOOR

Time of your life

The Christmas Tree, a symbol of everlasting life Jenny Hyson, Diocesan Children's Advisor, finds the roots of our Christmas tree in northern Germany

Tent Event

LAST month in the DOOR, I was remembering those strange family traditions, whose roots have long been forgotten, especially those linked to Christmas. Dressing the Christmas tree has it's own traditions and rituals, but more importantly tells a story as memories are carefully unwrapped year after year. Decorations that the children have been given or have made over the years as well as deco-rations brought from different places all are carefully hung on the branches amid the retelling of stories. But where did the tradition of the Christmas tree itself come from? Legend has it that St Boniface who was a Christian mission-ary in northern Germany came upon a group of pagans who were about to sacrifice a young boy to a great oak tree they were worshipping. The story goes that St Boniface told the pagans that they didn't have

to sacrifice the young boy to please God but that God loved them anyway, and with that he chopped down the oak tree and set the young boy free. St Boniface then found growing among the roots of the oak a small spruce tree. He gave the little spruce to the boy saying, 'Let this little ever-green tree be your symbol of everlasting life.' From that time on the spruce became the focus of Christmas celebra-tions in northern Germany, and as the legend spread the Christmas tree became a world-wide symbol of Christmas. And what better symbol of everlasting life, linking as it does with Jesus' own birthday.

'For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life'John 3:16. Today the shops are full of Christmas trees of all shapes

and sizes. There are trees that sing and trees that dance, trees that light up and change colour as well as trees that make their own snow! But how can you make your Christmas tree, whatever it's shape and size, retell not just the story of St Boniface but the story that has been told for 2000 years, a story that at its heart still holds the promise of everlasting life? Think together about the Christmas story and decide what characters or symbols you want to use to tell the

story. Here are some ideas: Angels — who told of Jesus' birth. A star — shone over Bethlehem and led the wise men. Mary and Joseph The donkey — that carried Mary. The shepherds and their

woolly sheep — who came to visit the baby. Little gift wrapped boxes —

symbols of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus. Twinkling Christmas tree lights, tinsel or candle decora-tions — symbols that Jesus came to be the light of the world. And of course, don't forget baby Jesus! So as you un-wrap your deco-rations this year, see if any of the decorations help you to remember the Christmas story. You might already have some angels or stars, twinkly lights or candles. Some of these may already have their own particular family story, which can now be integrated

into the retelling of the Christmas story. Where you haven't got char-acters from your list you might like to make some using the ideas below so that your tree, the focus of Christmas decorations, will reflect the real story of Christmas.

Figures made from Salt dough You will need: 2 cups of plain flour 2 cups salt 2tbs wallpaper paste (make sure it doesn't contain fungi- cide) 1 cup of water

Mix the ingredients together and knead to form a smooth doug. Shape into characters - Mary, Joseph, Shepherds, Wise men (these could either be rounded figures or flat). With a knitting needle make a hole in the top to thread a ribbon through. Leave overnight to harden Bake in a very low oven (200F 100C Gas mark 1) for 3 - 4 hours until dried out. Leave to cool and then paint with poster paint, varnish. Thread ribbon through and hang on tree.

Painted baubles You will need: Plain Christmas tree baubles Fine paintbrushes Glass paint Egg cups

On paper sketch out the char-acter you want to draw, keep it very simple. Copy the design with the paintbrush and paint onto the bauble. Stand the painted bauble in the egg cup to allow it to dry. Thread rib-bon, or string to the bauble and hang it on the tree.

ON Sunday 24 September Englefield House was alive with. the sound of young peo-ple worshipping God together under a huge Big Top. Catherine Haig, one of the organisers of the event wrote; 'Up to 600 teenagers turned up on the night - we had been praying for 400 - and there was a fantastic atmosphere. The local press showed an interest and there was a para-graph in the Newbury Weekly News which was great. The two bands (Jericho - Reading's top Christian band, and Fire Fly, a brand new band which has already supported Delirious?) were excellent, as was, the Sound Foundation, a Christian sound and lighting company from Reading. Mark Berry (the deanery youth worker for Bradfield) with a team of youth leaders put the whole evening together and led a time of prayer and meditation in the middle. Drinks were free and food was supplied by Steve Riley of the Hot Sausage Company who normally plies his trade in Reading but this evening brought his 'cart' along (complete with fish symbol) and sold his excellent hot dogs outside the tent!' Another amazing story con-nected to the event was that, a few days before it was due to take place, the organisers were told that there would be an additional bill for the tech-nical side, of between £300 and £400. An anonymous cheque arrived in the post that morning marked 'For Tentevent costs' - for exactly £400. And so it went on.

December recipes from Ann Way can be found on page seven.

The Corrymeela Community

DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATOR (England and Wales)

The Corrymeela Community, based in Northern Ireland, is an international recognised Christian Community active in promoting peace and reconciliation. The membership and work of the Community is supported by churches, church groups, other interested organisations and a network of Friends of Corrymeela. We are seeking to appoint a Development Co-Ordinator to manage and further develop this support in England and Wales. The successful candidate will need to have some awareness and knowledge of the situation in Northern Ireland and will share the Community's Christian commitment to reconciliation. As well as a good level of education, the candidate will have previous experience of networking with individuals and groups, including initiating new contracts and should have experience of public speaking. This position is currently envisaged as a 3-day equivalent. The nature of the work will require availability for evening and weekend work and a significant amount of travel. Salary is negotiable within th range of £15,000 - £20,000 (pro-rata) subject to experience. There are 5 weeks holiday and a pension scheme within normal age limits.

For further details and application form, please write to: The Administrator,

Corrymeela Link, P0 Box 4829, Early, Reading, Berkshire, England RG6 1XX

e.mail corrymeelalink@btinternet.com. CLOSING DATE FOR THE APPLICATION IS 3rd JANUARY 2001

Interviews will take place mid-January 2001, ',. • .s

4484+4O4

444144444444 fF44 3

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to follow but this is by no means an obscure scholarly tome and most readers will find the contents informative yet readable. The chapters overlap cleverly so that those reading from cover to cover will. find themselves almost impercepti-bly moving onwards in time - which is how we experience history in reality.

Scholarly technicalities have not been included but anyone wishing to pursue a topic fur-ther can use the wonderfully succinct reading lists for each chapter. The volume feels quite heavy to hold because of its high quality paper. It is properly bound so it will not fall to pieces unlike many modern paperbacks. Here we have something that will suit the general reader and anyone wishing to explore the latest ideas or needing to brush up on their English Church History and well worth £20.

Elaine Bardwell The Revd Elaine Bardwell, Vicar of St Michael's New Marston, Oxford is Church History Tutor for Diocesan train-ing courses.

NOT ANGELS BUT

ANGLICANS: HISTORY

OF CHRISTIANITY

CONSULTING EDITOR

HENRY CHADWICK

CANTERBURY £19.99

Oxford saves the carol CAROLS were originally Carols Old and New (1871), dancing songs - the word edited by two members of comes from the old French Magdalen College, the organ- carolle, a ring dance - and the ist John Stainer and early medieval Church disap- H.R.Bramley, a Fellow, proved of them. Carols as we helped to re-establish carol- know them date from the singing and to bring it into 15th century, developing the churches. The Oxford alongside nativity and mys- Book of Carols (1928) had tery plays. an even Cheerful and Hymn notes greater unsophisticated, by Clare Wen ham impact, con- they were sung tributing to by ordinary people in the ver-nacular, in contrast to the more polished Latin singing in the churches. But carol-singing went into serious decline, through suppression by the Puritans and the grad-ual weakening of community traditions. By the rnid-19th century 'God rest ye, merry gentlemen' was the only carol people knew. Oxford played an important part in their revival at the end of the 19th century. The Bodleian Library was a valu- able source of old manu- Now may Mary's Son who came scripts, and some medieval so long ago to love us, carols were still being sung in lead us all with hearts aflame the colleges. Christmas unto the joys above us.

In the next issue we continue our new series on hymn-writers asso-ciated with this Diocese and the stories behind some of the hymns.

the growth of carol services by providing a source book of 'real carols', true to their origins, as Percy Dearmer, one of the editors (a former Librarian of Pusey House, Oxford) explains in his intro-duction to the book. His translation of a 15th-cen-tury 'rollicking' text (found in German and Latin) is a good example of a 'real carol'. Unto us a boy is born! King of all creation, came he to a world forlorn, the Lord of every nation.

Oxford 5IIAEHWI(H

ChhstianLy H a nutshell IF YOU are genuinely interested in God and the Church, you will have acquired the superb Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, whose third edition was published in 1997. If however you cannot fork out £70 for the full monty, then this con-cise paperback edition is ideal.

Its contents are a masterpiece of compression with over 5000 entries, from Aaron to Zwingh ranging over all the Christian Chu ches, eastern and western, ancient and modern. The tone is inoffensively Anglican, neither puritan nor papist (though why only a list of Popes at the back, and not Archbishops of Canterbury or Ecumenical Patriarchs?). The dictionary's particular strength lies in patris-tic, historical and liturgical sub-jects, yet there is also good but brief coverage of biblical books and topics as well as doctrine,

spirituality and pastoralia. Despite some attempt in this lat-est revision to 'update' (with entries on Black Churches and Feminist Theology, for instance), you will look in vain for definitions of Postmodemism, New Age. or phenomena such as Forward in Faith or Affirming Catholicism. But remember it's only milk, not meat. If you live on this concise version alone you will be depriv-ing yourself of the parent vol-ume which once tasted will lead you onto lifelong feast. J.E. Bardwell Librarian, St Stephen's House, Oxford.

CONCISE OXFORD

DICTIONARY OF

THE CHRISTIAN

CHURCH EDITED

E. A. LIVINGSTONE

OUP £8.99

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Anglicans not angels THE CHAPTERS' of this book were originally pub-lished as a series in The Cburch Times from October 1999 to April 2000. This vol-ume brings the material together to form an overview of our Christian heritage. There are plenty of well pro-duced illustrations and the text is sensibly presented with separate 'boxes' on relevant people or topics. Thirty riveting chapters take

the reader from the beginnings of Christianity through the twists and turns of the history of the Church in England end-ing with a consideration of the future. The earlier periods might have been given more space to balance the coverage given to the more modern periods. The articles are writ-ten by a variety of scholars so that the danger of being pre-sented with a single person's views or prejudices is lessened. The- result is clear, well writ-ten and excellently informed pieces from people who are experts in their field.

It is noticeable that the only person singled out for an entire chapter to himself is John Wesley. Important though he is, one cannot help feeling that Cranmer and Hooker might have received just as much attention. The complete novice might find some of the discussion difficult

A Tale of Two Visions - the story of Scripture Union worldwide by Michael Hews (Scripture Union,f6.99) Scripture Union began in 1867 when an office worker talked to 14 children in a London house, and now works in over 130 countries, playing a key role in encouraging daily Bible reading and nurturing children's faith. Reaching Children in Need by Patrick McDonald (Viva NetworklKingsway) £7.99 Giving tragic and joyful stories of children in need all over the world, the author, who lives in Oxford, tells how he founded the Viva Network to co-ordinate the efforts of Christians trying to help them.

Common Praise (Canterbury Press full music edition £19.99; words only edition £8.99, paperback £6.99) The new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern, designed to fit in with Common Worship and includ-ing useful indexes of Scripture references and Sunday themes.

Percy Dearmer by Donald Gray (Canterbury Press, £].2.99) A biography of a man who worked to bring colour and beauty into Anglican worship and who believed passionately in Christian socialism.

England's Thousand Best Churches Simon Jenkins Penguin £16.99 A paperback edition of a beautifully illustrated book.

A gift for younger readers Many Christian books make excellent Christmas gifts. Becky Adams looks at some of those which have recently been published.

People of the Bible - Life and Customs by Silvia Gastadi and Claire Musalti (SCM Press large-format paperback, £12.95) offers a fascinating insight into everyday life from the time of Abraham to the time of Jesus. Each of the 50 double-page spreads, provides a picture window on a different theme - education, living conditions, food, the city of Jerusalem, or a bird's-eye view of the land of Palestine. The cartoon-type colour drawings and elements of humour will appeal to children of all ages. A very useful resource for families or children's groups, this book will do a lot to help chil-dren understand the social and cultural setting of the Bible stories.

If You'd Been There in Bible Times (Scripture Union large-format hardback, £5.99) also provides useful background information alongside a more traditional Bible story approach. Colourful illus-trations accompany each double-page story, from Noah through to the resurrection. Among the asides it was interesting to discover that Goliath was reported as 3.2 m tall (six cubits and a span), and that human skeletons of that height which date from this time have been discovered in Palestine. Such intriguing snippets lend the tra-ditional stories an extra fascination and encourage the young read-er to explore further.

God's Kingdom by Geraldine McCaughrean (Orion, £8.99) offers imaginative re-tellings of well-known New Testament stories and parables. With beautiful watercolour illustrations (see example above) by Anna Leplar, this would make an attractive gift. The same artist adds a new dimension to the story of Noah's Ark retold by Georgie Adams (Orion, £4.50). The dramatic flood pictures, in particular, make the story come alive even for the youngest reader.

Runners by Kathy Lee is a recent addition to the Seasiders Series from Scripture Union (E2.99). This adventure story is set in a sea-side town where Jake lives with his family who run Seaview Hotel. Jake's mum takes pity on a homeless women and her daughter offering work and a place to stay. But what is the real identity of the new arrivals? And who are they running from? With 120 pages in short chapters, the adventure that follows is sure to keep the attention of young independent readers.

In Pins and Needles by Janet Slater Bottin(Scripture Union, £2.99), Peter Ivan Nicholas Smith (PINS) is surprised by a squeaky voice from under the garden seat. He did not know that hedgehogs could talk, but soon Pins becomes firm friends with Needles, the hedgehog. Needles learns about road safety and Pins discovers how great God is. With lively illustrations by Tony Goffe, this latest addition to the 'Read to Me' series is ideal; to be read aloud to children up to about six years old, and is sure to amuse.

There are many forms of suffering. In AZERBAIJAN the church is growing and the number of new

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A BABY'S FEET but what of their future? Tearfund's 'Great Expectations' Christmas pack for churches looks at maternal health in the Third World in particular the hopes of Rekha, a Christian mother in India. The pack includes a drama script, photographs and children's activities. Ring 0845 355 8355 for the pack and 0800 1950102 for Tearfund's gift catalogue.

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Ten days in Kimberley Robert Jeffrey, sub-dean of Christ Church Cathedral,

Oxford, wiltes about his 'Asft to our tWn Diocese of Kimberley

& Kuruman, his last stop on a round-the-world tour

Burford shares the good news The beautiful Burford Benefice is the gateway to the Cotswolds. But its churches are gateways in another way.Their Vicar, Richard Coombs describes how four parishes are sharing resources and working together to spread the good news of Jesus

WHEN I was in Brisbane I had a request from Kimberley to conduct a two-day conference for clergy on the subject of'indi-genisation'. This is a rather tech-nical term which means finding ways of relating the Gospel to the local culture. The Church in South Africa having fought a major battle over apartheid is now turning its mind to how it can relate the Gospel to contem-porary African life and thought. The conference was attended by nearly all the clergy, some of whom had travelled a long dis-tance. Bishop Moseki was there to welcome all.

African concepts of God are not the same as western ones and there is a need to find lan-guage and symbols, which relate to African experience. The wor-ship of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa is based on old fashioned forms of Anglo-Catholic worship and needs updating. The patterns of ministry are tied to an authori-tarian structure and need a new missionary dimension.

Moffat and Livingstone Afterwards I went on a trip to the Moffat Mission in Kuruman. This is the ecumenical training centre for lay and ordained min-isters. The facilities are impres-sive and the history fascinating. Robert Moffat had translated

the Bible and printed it in the local language. His daughter married David Livingstone in the Mission church on the edge of the Kalahari Desert.

Dignity and love I also preached at the Cathedral and in St Francis Church in one of the townships and conducted a half-day training session for 1000 lay ministers. There is a desperate need for more training all over this vast Diocese. I was most kindly looked after by Sister Camilla Mary at St Monica's House of Prayer. But there was much sadness around because of the sudden death of the wife of the Dean of Kimberley, Justus Marcus. He is a gracious and learned priest, who is now finding life difficult. I was able to sympathise with him because my own wife had died in similar circumstances five years earlier and we devel-oped a real bond.

The Diocese is battling on bravely with limited resources against the background of a society which, in the post apartheid situation, is slowly gaining confidence but suffers from a lack of investment, 60% unemployment, and the ghastly effects of AIDS. Against all these odds the people of South Africa have great dignity and love. They deserve our prayer and support.

HEADING west to the Windmill roundabout on the A40 between Witney and Burford the landscape sud-denly changes. The rolling hills fall away into the dis-tance, the river Windrush val-ley winds its way up the val-ley to the right and dry stone walls divide up the fields. This roundabout marks the gateway to the Cotswolds. It is also the gateway to the benefice of Burford, Fulbrook, Taynton, Asthall, Swinbrook and Widford. The churches in the benefice are praying and working so that they become the gateway to hope, the gateway to life and the gateway to joyful rela-tionship with Jesus Christ. Over the last two years the churches been trying some new initiatives to build up the churches and reach out to the local area.

Music for all tastes A benefice service now draws all four parishes together once a month with one of them hosting the service each month. A benefice-wide choir under the leadership of a new musical director, Hilary Tadman-Robins leads these services, singing a variety of traditional and more modern music. The amount of liturgy has been reduced and simpli-fied and the aim is to make the whole service accessible to visitors and newcomers. Coffee is served afterwards and there is a growing sense of fellowship and concern for one another. From time to time the benefice choir is invited to the village churches for special occasions such as a baptism or harvest service.

Travelling family service A benefice-wide Sunday School (main picture) meets in Burford as part of the 11am service, attracting

about 25 children. Once a month the whole Sunday school is invited to the family service which circulates around the four parishes, vis-iting a different parish each month. This means there is a

viable number for a family service in villages with a small population and that the fami-lies visit each other's churches.

Alpha takes off With faith, fear and trem-bling, in January 2000 the first Burford Alpha course was launched with a leader-

Burford, Fulbrook, Taynton, Asthall, Swinbrook and Wldford The benefice runs along the Windrush valley, mostly to the north of the A40. It has a resi-dent population of about 2000 but welcomes many thousands of visitors every year. The combined electoral roll is over 300. The churches are all medieval jewels from Burford's majestic 'cathe-dral'to Widford's tiny chapel, perched on the banks of the river. Fulbrook, Taynton and Asthall or Swinbrook have services at 930am and Burford has services at Barn, 11am (with Sunday School) and 6pm. The benefice service is held on the first Sunday each month at 10.30 in Burford. The churches have close links with the Anglican Benedictine Community at Burford Priory.

ship team of 15 people. To the team's amazement, SO people attended and lasted the course. Some have said how the course has brought them to faith in Christ, oth-ers, that they have grown in

their faith and others that they have thought more about Christianity. Four Bible study groups have been start-ed for those who have done Alpha and others who are interested. The second Alpha course is scheduled for January 2001.

Youthful approach The stereotype of Burford as uniformly middle-aged and elderly is not true. There are a number of young people in the benefice and many more who are at school in Burford and socialise locally. A group were confirmed in the spring and have formed the nucleus of a small group who are con-tinuing to meet together. It is hoped that this group will gradually attract others. The clergy take assemblies in the local schools and some of the students at Burford School's boarding house help in Sunday School.

It is difficult to run a benefice of four parishes with one vicar! The Lord has grad-ually been bringing together a

staff team which is now made up of: Richard Coombs (vicar), Tom Farrell (NSM), Peter Harris (Verger), John Leach (LLM), Walter Maddocks (LLM), Ruth McCalman (Secretary), Hilary Tadman Robins (Director of Music). This group meets monthly to review, plan and have lunch together. The church wardens in the benefice meet quarterly with other representatives of the parishes in a benefice PCC. Gradually, and some-times painfully, the four parishes are beginning to work together and to see the strength in co-operation, valuing what is best in each individual parish and com-bining our resources to the benefit of all.

Chrismas highlights As in all parishes, Christmas is a busy time in the Burford Benefice. Each of the four parishes has a carol service in the week before Christmas and there is a service in every parish on Christmas Day. A highlight is the annual Christingle Service (pictured below) which attracts more families than any other ser-vice. This year it will be held in Burford Church on Saturday 16 December at 4pm. All are welcome.

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pud this month. Exactly three breath as the appalling news days after we remember the at a time of peace and good- of innocent suffering. Yet they baby in the manger, the will, the fact remains that this are not telling us two different Church recalls the innocent is exactly how the world is. truths, but one. The innocent children who died in Herod's Good news and sad news go children of Bethlehem died, as spiteful outburst at the very hand in hand, as many of us it were, so that the Saviour thought that another king have experienced. Christmas might live. Later, the Saviour might rise up in Judea. Holy can be at one and the same was to die so that the children Innocents' Day, on 28 time an occasion of joy and of Bethlehem might live, and December, is probably one of sorrow, laughter and tragedy, all the rest of us who turn to the most incongruous feast- because these elements of life him. days of the Church, and per- don't exist in watertight com- Jesus came into the world as haps' because of that, and its partments, but mixed up in it is, so that, the love of God placing in the slip-stream of the messy business of ordi- could reach us where we are. Christmas, one of the least nary human existence. It is In one sense, the innocent widely observed, don't need him, but all the rest

Which is a pity. Because, DavidCanon . of us certainly do not only for

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forgiveness, but to make sense this story of violence done to Fellowships's New Daylight of the strange world in which the innocent is inappropriate we find ourselves I e reading notes.

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